Flute, Imperial #700 | |
The above purple pitcher and six of the tumblers sold for $1,150 in 1995. The tumbler is a variantion referred to as #1. On the right are two additional variants of the tumbler, #2 and #3. Number 2 is a taller tumbler with six straight flutes (#1 also has six flutes), and #3 has nine flutes and a collar base. The #3 tumblers are quite rare. Northwood also made a pattern that collectors call Flute. |
Water sets, 7 pieces Marigold, 5 pieces, 55 (2012) Purple, 825 (2010), 2,300 (2020) Purple, small size pitcher, 525 (2013) Purple, 6 pieces, 575 (2014), 475 (2021) Purple, 5 pieces, 500 (2011), 725 (2012) Water pitchers Milk pitchers |
Tumblers Aqua/teal, 140 (2016), 425 (2018) Blue, #1, 340 (2006), 50 (2019), 150 (2020) Blue, unspecified style, 75 (2018), 135 (2019) Cranberry flashing, #1, 10 (2015) Green, 40 (2019) Marigold, 5 inches tall, #2, 305 (2000) Marigold, #4, 120 (2019), 15 (2021) Marigold, #5, 30 (2006), 190 (2019) Purple, #1, 45, 60 (both 2020), 60 (2022) Purple, #1, lot of 2, 160 (2021) Purple, #1, lot of 4, 180 (2018) Purple, #2, 70, 75 (both 2021), 30 (2022) Purple, #2, lot of 2, 200 (2018) Red, 275 (1992) Tumblers, #3 |
Imperial apparently also made a slightly different pattern in Flute punch sets known as #3939. | |
Punch sets, 8-10 pieces Green, 300, 350 (both 2006), 525 (2021) Green, 14 piece, 225 (2022) Green, 6-7 piece, 300 (2016), 200 (2019) Marigold, 12 piece, 450 (2013), 190 (2016) Marigold, 5 piece, 110 (2016) Purple, 1,900 (2020), 1,300 (2022) Punch bowl and base Punch base only Punch cups |
Celery vase Marigold, 70 (2013) Purple, 375 (2015), 1,000 (2022) Wine glasses (3 known) Cordial, 3 inches tall Nappy, handled (berry set cups) Console bowl |
The Imperial Flute toothpick holders are the most frequently seen shape in this pattern. On the right is a breakfast set, composed of an open sugar and small creamer. |
Toothpick holders Amber, 85 (2009) Amethyst, 10 (2022) Blue, 850 (2019), 225, 450 (both 2021) Green, 15 (2019), 10, 15 (both 2021) Helios, 30 (1097), 55 (2000) Lavender, 20 (2021), 10 (2022) Lime green, 25 (2016), 30 (2021) Marigold, 15 (2019), 10, 15, 135 (all 2021) Purple, 10, 15, 30 (all 2021), 55 (2022) Smoke, 40 (2000) Vaseline, 50 (2016), 140 (2018) |
Breakfast sets (creamer and sugar) Amber, 525 (2018), 45 (2021) Clambroth, 50 (2004) Marigold, 100 (2012) Purple, 70 (2021). 20, 130 (both 2022) Breakfast creamer or sugar Berry sets, 6-7 piece Bowls, 8-9 inches Sauces or small bowls |
Imperial's Flute vase is another of those difficult to recognize patterns, principally because the distinguishing flute characteristic--the flat curved band at the base of each of the flutes--has often been so dissolved by the swinging that it is difficult to see. However, there is another characteristic that helps in identifying the pattern: The tops have eight scallops, one for each flute, with five saw-teeth on each of the scallops.
The base is just under 2 3/4 inches with a hexagonal 24-point star. Heights range from 8 1/2 to 11 1/2 inches. In 2010, a blue example sold for $2,700 and also in 2010 a purple example sold for $195. In 2014, an example listed as amethyst, sold for $210. In 2016, a purple vase brought $170. In 2017 marigold vases sold for $5, $15 and $20. Also in 2017 a white Flute vase, just 4 1/2 inches tall, sold for $185. In 2018, a 12-inch purple example sold for $130. In 2019, a blue 8-inch vase sold for $2.600, marigold sold for $25, and purple sold for $425. In 2020, an 11-inch purple vase sold for $275. In 2021, another 11-inch purple vase brought $170. In 2022, an 11 1/2-inch example in blue sold for $750 with a hairline crack in the base. Also in 2022, a 7 1/2" blue example sold fpr $1.350. Prices appear to be somewhat eratic as virtually every maker had a flute vase and auctioneers are not always able to distinguish between them. |
In 2004, Alice Widtfeldt sent me these photos of her Imperial Flute vase in blue. It's one of two or three known.
For more on paneled vases, click here. Updated 12/3/2022 |