Item Number: #250
Height: 7¾”
Production Dates: 1915-1970
(aka Footed Fruit Bowl and/or Tom & Jerry Bowl)
This particular piece is very interesting. Why? Because it officially went by three different names – the Small Punch Bowl, the Footed Fruit Bowl, and the Tom & Jerry Bowl. It was introduced to the world in 1915, under the name of the 12″ Footed Fruit Bowl. As years went by, Fostoria Glass eventually listed it in their catalogs as the 12″ Footed Fruit Bowl, Small Punch Bowl, or the Tom & Jerry Bowl.
No matter how you use it, or what you call it – this treasure is amazingly versatile. The base of the foot is approximately 7¼” in diameter, and the bowl opening measures about 12″ in diameter. From the foot to the top rim, the Tom and Jerry Bowl stands about 7¾” high. Expect slight size variations though, as some have been reported to be slightly taller. While all of the bowls have a flared shape, it is possible to find them less flared – most noticeable towards the top rim.
There has been confusion in the past about a similar American-looking piece that was produced in Czechoslovakia. If you preview this Look-Alike link, search for item #1272 – the Footed Bowl. The piece referenced to in the above link was not produced by the Fostoria Glass Company. These bowls can be found in crystal, blue, green, etc.
Once the Fostoria factory closed in 1986, Dalzell Viking produced this piece under the Fostoria American label in limited colors of cranberry/pink and grey/blue. If you have a Fostoria piece – in either of these two colors – then it was an item produced from approximately 1986-1998.
How can you tell the difference between the European item and the American item? The Libochovice Footed Bowl is about 8¼” – 8½” high, which is taller than the American piece. It is also smaller in diameter, by about 1½”, than Fostoria’s Small Punch Bowl.
Another easy way to distinguish between the two is to look at their feet. The Libochovice piece will have a noticeable mould mark that circles the top outer edge of the foot; the American piece will not. Almost always, the American Small Punch Bowl will have nine rows of cubes. The Libochovice piece will have eleven rows of cubes. When it is difficult to count the rows, use the other mentioned traits to help you determine the origin of your bowl.
If you are interested in learning more about current availability and pricing for this piece, please click the following sponsored link for available Small Punch Bowls on eBay.
