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This is an old Beaumont Tree Bark Footed bowl without the seam still on the bottom of the feet. Notice how the Tree Bark runs almost all the way up the side of the bowl.
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The same feet were used on the old Ruby Covered Candy Boxes made by Beaumont back in the 20's and 30's. These have the seam running through the bottom of the feet. You can really see the Tree Bark running up on this one. So I must assume this is one of the oldest molds used for Flowerlites. Also pictured is the early Ferlux Flowerlite by Beaumont with the 16 holes Frog. The Bark does not run quite as high on this one. Now look at the Clear Beaumont Flowerlite. The Bark almost runs to the top rim past the Silver Overlay. I'll leave it up to the Beaumont Collectors to fill me in on the dates. What little information I have came from "Great American Glass of the Roaring 20's & Depression Era" by James Measell and Berry Wiggins. They show some of these early items. I am assuming this was the earliest mold for the Viking Flowerlites. Does this make a lot of difference? Who knows? It's all part of your own opinion but, the difference is noticeable?
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Next In line, No Tree Bark Extending Up - Mold 2
A magazine advertisement dated June 1950 showed this Flowerlte and both Flower Blocks. At that time they sold as #550 with the 11 hole Flower Block. The #549 was the Flowerlite and Flower Block with the Candle Holder.
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This mold shows the Tree bark either ground off or the mold filled and the Tree bark is not running up the sides. The Tree Bark is not as noticeable as is is on the older ones. I am thinking these are newer mold, made before 1950's when the change came.
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Newer Mold in 1951 - Paden City's Old Mold?
Major Mold Change in 1951. Some collectors have said the change came because Viking bought the molds from Paden City after they closed in 1950. I will do more research in this area in the future. There is a definite difference in the Padded Foot Molds. You can see the difference in size of the pads in the side by side photos. Notice the photo of the 2 green bowls where the one is shorter than the other. The Small Padded Foot has about 1/8 inch shorter feet. It also has a extra footed extension that extends about half way up the bowl. The Small Pad is 3/4" and the Larger is 7/8". The standard #550 Flower Block fits noticeably tighter in the small bowls than in the larger footed bowl. The circle of glass inside the feet on the base is 1 1/8" on the Small Footed Bowl and 1 1/4" on the Larger Footed Bowl. This could just mean there were 2 molds used or it could mean different time periods, making one older than the other. For now, I have no opinion. I am just pointing out the difference. I have far more small padded bowls than larger padded bowl.
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Small Padded Foot and Center on Left - Larger on Right
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Small Padded Foot Left 1/8" Shorter - Larger Padded Foot Right.
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