Flute, Imperial

Flute - Imperial molds #672 and #700

Several shapes are known in what we call Imperial's Flute pattern and are listed in early Imperial catalogs as coming from both #672 and #700 molds. The pitchers above to the left has the characteristic handle with the pointed top. On the water pitcher, the handle flares out where the bottom of it attaches to the body of the pitcher. On the milk pitcher, the handle does not flare out but stays the same size where it attaches to both the top and bottom. Both pitchers have ten flutes around the piece and sit on a collar base. Each flute ends in a scallop at the top. The handles to the water and milk pitchers are both attached on the edge of two flutes. Both the large water pitcher and the small milk pitcher are from a #700 mold even with the different shape of the handle at the bottom. Imperial's 103B catalog, from about 1917, lists both as a #700 mold and states that a water set may be purchased cheaper with the smaller pitcher. There are no known #700 tumblers but it appears that the #700 water pitcher was paired with up to 3 different tumblers to make a complete water set. The tumblers are referred to as variations #1, #2 and #3 and are shown in the photo to the right in order. Tumbler #1 has six flutes and flares out slightly at the base. Tumbler #1 appears to be mold #340 and is shown in the ad at the bottom of this page. Tumbler #2 is a taller tumbler also with six flutes and tapers in at the bottom. Tumbler #3 has nine flutes and a collar base and is shown in Imperial's 103B catalog as mold #8 and paired with the large #700 water pitcher to form a set . Water sets are found in clambroth, marigold, purple and teal. Certain tumblers are also found in blue.


To the left is the Imperial Flute punch set. The interior is plain but typically has wonderful iridescence. Found in green, marigold and purple. While very similar to the Heavy Grape punch set, there are differences in the pieces, enough to say that Imperial did not take the Flute punch set mold and simply add grapes to the interior and then have the Heavy Grape mold. The Heavy Grape mold is unique. Punch cups or custard cups come from both the #672 and #700 molds. As with the pitchers, the difference is that on the #700 cup, the bottom of the handle flares out just as it attaches to the cup. The #700 cup has a ground base while the #672 cup has a collar base. The #672 cup also has the Imperial Iron Cross mark on the inside bottom. The correct punch cup to go with the #700 punch bowl and base is the #700 cup. Thus the #672 cup is most likely a custard cup.

Pictured above to the left, is a single handled nappy and a toothpick. The nappies are very hard to find. The bowl is 4 1/2 inches across excluding the handle. The handle to this nappy also flares out where it attaches to the bowl. The Imperial Flute toothpick holders are the most frequently seen shape in this pattern and are also found in the widest range of colors. Blue and vaseline toothpicks are considered rare. On the right is a breakfast set, composed of an open sugar and small creamer. They are widely available. Breakfast sets are found in amber, green, marigold and purple. As can be seen, the handle to both the creamer and the sugar flares out at the bottom where it attaches to the piece.


The Imperial Flute Berry set is easily found, typically with wonderful iridescence. The large master berry is about 8 to 9 inches across and the individual bowls are about 4 1/2 inches across. Berry sets are found in green, marigold and purple. On the right is a bowl that is 7 inches across; thus it is too small to be the master berry bowl. It is simply a medium sized bowl. Note that it is green.

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. Found in amethyst, a very rare blue, and marigold.

Imperial also made a slightly different pattern in Flute known as #393. Northwood also made a pattern that collectors call Flute.


The photo to the left shows two flute like tumblers. No. 340 may be variation #1 discussed above. The photo in the center shows a celery vase which is extremely hard to find in either marigold or purple. The photo to the right shows two candlesticks from #700 molds and thus they are Imperial Flute also. The candlesticks are found in marigold and smoke.


Mold #672 did produce a tumbler but it is not associated with the #700 water pitcher. Instead, the #672 tumbler is seen in an early Imperial catalog paired with the #600 Chesterfield water pitcher. These three Imperial catalog ads show three shapes from 672 molds and also how Imperial paired the 672 item with other pieces from different molds. Above is a 600 Chesterfield water pitcher paired with 672 10 oz. tumblers. Above to the right is a 672 custard cup. And to the right is a 672 underplate paired with a Chesterfield 600 sherbert. While mold #672 is called Flute, many 672 items are part of the Chesterfield line.