Imperial plate with optic panels and "snap base." The snap, a metal pole with jaws on one end, holds onto the rim of the base. The snap's jaws are opened and closed by pressing the rod onto the floor.

Plates are generally flat pieces that may have "snap" bases, "stuck-up" bases (ground rims), or "ground maries" (a small ground area that looks like a ground pontil.

Plates may have been designed to hold other pieces like a sherbet, mayonnaise dish or similar item. Most of these have a distinct rim, ring or depression on the upper surface. If you detect such a rim, check to see if some likely item would fit.

This Northwood plate was made using the "stuck up" process. A metal ring on a rod was heat bonded to the basal ring for finishing. When finished, the rod was struck, thereby breaking the glass. The resulting rough rim had to be ground down. Small flakes on the edge of such ground rims is normal.

Bottom view of the above plate showing the characteristic foot of a snap base piece.

A side view of the Imperial plate.

Bottom view of the Northwood plate.

A Fenton plate made using a "Marie." The marie in this case was a small knob which was held in a small snap for finishing. When done, the small Marie was ground off, leaving a mark that looks much like the ground pontil of true art glass. These ground maries usually have a distinctive rim which will catch your finger nail as you scrape it across the edge.

Close up of the ground base.

Notice the distinctive ring in the base of this Imperial plate. This indicates that this is the plate to a cheese and cracker set.

Bottom view of the above plate. The round area in the center is the ground Marie.