The Dolphin Candlesticks are found in seven distinct types. The single base usually has two scars near the hollow base of the Dolphin showing the earliest form of ejection from the mold, a kind of modified pontil. The single base Dolphins while not as delicate in modelling and design are decidedly earlier and much rarer than the double base. The head of the Dolphin is hollow for a greater distance than in the double base sticks showing that these earlier forms were blown into the molds before the stamp machine was in common use. There is also a sunken bobash of glass not found in the double base types.
Type 6 and 7 is mentioned by the author with reluctance as it is of Victorian origin. The little pentagonal base stick type 5 is dainty and well molded but the bell shaped Dolphin is ornate and of less value to collectors. The dishes on Dolphin standards with opalescent edges are of this period also and mentioned only to make this work complete.
Type [1.] single base 1840
- a. Clear white.
- b. Vaselene yellow slightly cloudy—rare.
- c. Opalescent.
Type [2.] single base embossed 1845
- a. Clear white ornamented with small Dolphins and shells in relief.
Type [3.] double base 1850
- a. Clear White.
- b. Opalescent white.
- c. Opalescent blue top opalescent white Dolphin base.
- d. Clear blue.
- e. Clear green very rare.
- f. Clear purple very rare.
- g. Vaselene yellow.
- h. Opaque blue.
Type [4.] round base 1859
- a. Clear white.
- b. Clear white with heart in tail of Dolphin.