Topic: i.d. on uranium vase lettering.

[Paul S.]

when new this must have been quite an exquisite piece - and glows like a trooper under the u.v. light.    Unfortunately, much of the gold has worn away, well I suppose it would after maybe a hundred years or more.   Has a definite continental look - makes me think Bohemian.  23 cms. tall and 8 cms. at the widest.    Inside is as smooth and shiny as the proverbial  -- but the exterior (apart from the base) appears acid etched, and the gold pattern seems familar but I don't know from where.  However, main reason for the post is that I am mystified by the gold lettering/number on the base.    The old upper case 'D' we can see, but what is the next character  -  is it a figure 4??                Thanks for looking, and grateful for any replies.     cheers            Paul S.

[dirk.]

hi Paul,
this semi-opaque uranium glass is named "chrysoprase" after the mineral. the colour was very popular in the 1840's. producers of "chrysoprase"glass were e.g. Harrach in Novı Svet / Bohemia and Schachtenbach-Hütte / Bavaria.
possibly one of the lucky owners of a copy of "bohemian glass" will be able to give some more detailed information.

edit:
forgot about the letter... i'd say A if it's a monogram.

[Ivo]

The inventor of Chrysoprase should not be omitted either - Baccarat! Is there a missing stopper? To me the monogram is DH...

[dirk.]

Ivo, i was thinking about this kind of handwriting with the lower loop missing / worn off:

[Paul S.]

thanks very much to both Dirk and Ivo for yur replies.    Of course I shud have taken a pictue of the neck opening  -  but can assure you that the neck is not a 'stopper' type of opening  -  in fact it is almost a sort of small bulb vase type of opening.   Dirk has mentioned the Bohemian glass book, of which I have a copy, so I will go and now look for some ideas.     Might it be a possibility that during the C19, more afluent families cud have aforded to have their glassware gilded with a family monogram or initials??     your thoughs are much appreciated   thanks           Paul S.

[flying free]

just looking for something else and came across this - the next letter on the base is I believe an A.
Probably the gilder/decorator of the vase?

m