Hi Anne
Sorry for not getting back, I have been working (sigh!!)
J Millers Collectable guide 2004 pp283
Now see an explosion in published interest with three whole pages in the 2006 guide pp332 – 334 (I don’t endorse price guide attributions, but this is a three page feature with paragraphs all on Sklo Union glass)
On page 332 there is our mystery vase again with a definite attribution to one of the Sklo Union factories. All but one of the 19 pictures has been supplied by GC which stands for the ‘Graham Cooley Collection’ I am not sure if it is a private collection, it looks like it may be
It is Graham who provides the confusing wavy line mystery vase. It has caused me to do some research. It would appear different markings appear on the base of two vases in raised letters a) ‘Italy’ with SF b) ‘Fidenza Italy’, c) there is also third version with no markings at all
This is a link to the ‘Fidenza Italy’ vase – see Anne’s post for ‘Italy’ version
http://hometown.aol.co.uk/blackcatgla/images/sklo1.jpghttp://hometown.aol.co.uk/blackcatgla/images/sklo2.jpg base markings
I have Graham Cooley’s email and will use it, as we have two vases with ‘Italy’ to base (I am sure now that Anne’s vase is also Fidenza, just a different marking?) and think that the vase with no markings could either be by Fidenza as well or perhaps there was a design sharing thing going on between Sklo and Fidenza Italy at the time (well :? ). I have emailed the Fidenza Company who now make glass blocks for interior designers and they tell me that they made these vases in the 1970s along with many other designs
http://hometown.aol.co.uk/blackcatgla/images/fidenza.jpg both Fidenza, amazing differences in the design, the one on the right is deco and has a aqua tint to it, it is marked ‘Fidenza Italy’ which is in the Emilia Romagna area of Italy
In the meantime if anyone has any information, please post. I will get back after Graham emails me with info (is he on the board already?)
I get the feeling he is big in glass research, in fact reading the article I know he is!
http://www.cambridgeglassfair.com/exhibitors/interviewarchive/int-cooley-graham.htmI get pages with articles about Whitefriars and Stennett-Willson by Mr.Cooley, but nothing much on Sklo Union
I will also try picking his brains as to who put together such extensive research on Sklo for the price guide, I would love to scan it and link to it but that is copyright breach and I want to ask his help
I am sure there is a lot of his input in the copy – most of it is backing up the excellent posts that Marcus has initiated or contributed to on the GMB
‘In 1965, the Rudolfova Hut, Hermanova Hut, Libochovice, Rosice, and other glassworks were incorporated into the ‘Sklo Union’, the Czech national glass manufactory. The name ‘Royal Bohemia’ or ‘Bohemia Glass’ are labels applied by importers and exporters to Sklo Union glass’
There are six more paragraphs along with a lot of writing next to each picture; I am too tired to write it all
Designers names are given and even pattern numbers
There is a quarter page given to the ‘Bullet’ vase
Included are designs by Frantisek Peceny for Hermonova (Dragon Head Vase), Frantisek Visner designs, Rudolf Jurnikl tapered vase for Rudolfova (patt no.13155)
I own some of the vases pictured
A Rosice candlestick by Vladisav Urban
http://hometown.aol.co.uk/blackcatgla/images/vu1.jpgA Sklo Union vase first made in 1925 and still used up until late 1970’s
http://hometown.aol.co.uk/blackcatgla/images/1925.jpgHere is a good point the book makes (Marcus has been telling us for years) ‘It is estimated that in 1965, half the moulds being used in Sklo Union were of pre-war origin’ It may look old but they continued to use a huge amount of designs, what looks deco may be 1970s’
A Sklo Union vase that may be designed by Vaclav Hanus
http://hometown.aol.co.uk/blackcatgla/images/vh.jpgThe Pineapple vase - tapering cylindrical with moulded hobnail like pyramidal prunts
http://hometown.aol.co.uk/blackcatgla/images/sklo3.jpgThere are many more, and this time unlike in 2004 it is at pains to state many vases have ‘Royal Bohemia’ labels on but as said this is the importer label not the manufacturer within the Union
I know it’s very little new information for the hardcore Czech glass researcher, but this is a popular book and will clearly increase interest in the area
This one was in the 2004 edition; I presume it is Sklo even though it is not in 2006 edition
http://hometown.aol.co.uk/blackcatgla/images/royalboh.jpgHere is one not in the book, I posted a few weeks ago and am looking forward to research
http://hometown.aol.co.uk/blackcatgla/images/bluflower.jpgI am sure there will be much more to look into. Marcus is fantastic and I don’t know anyone with more knowledge, a lot he has said is ‘BANG’ starting to get attention, I would like some of these guys like Graham Cooley to come onto the board as it takes the heat of everyone asking Marcus and I know he is busy with research.
All this is great for the seller/dealer I know, but I am not bothered about that, things are starting to come out and that is good for research, prices will find there own level in time I believe
I agree with Kev H have a look at the posts he has linked to above, the information Marcus gives is amazing, now all we need is a book on Sklo!! (no pressure Marcus, it’s just I would buy it LOL)
I hope I have not made too many mistakes or offended anyone in this post and please excuse any spelling or grammatical errors
Adam P