Topic: Can you identify this Ruby glass cased vase?

[hoebywan]

I have looked exhaustively on the internet for anything like this vase and the closest I came was Whitefriars Molar and Elephant Foot vases however Whitefriars have nothing of this exact design that I could find in their catalogues. The colour Ruby does seem to fit again with Whitefriars as does the cased design. I would appreciate some educated feedback on this, something constructive( not Whitefriars is not constructive ). I hope you like it anyway I think its lovely.

[Lustrousstone]

Welcome to the board. We really need a base picture to start helping please. Dimensions are good too. Also you are better posting this sort of enquiry on the general board unless you know definitely where something comes from.

Moderator can you move please

[hoebywan]

Just a few more details that were requested on this piece. It is8 and 3/4 inches in height and 2.3 pounds in weight and here are 2 more photos one of the base that was requested.

[Lustrousstone]

That matte base is not a good sign. I would say perhaps modern Chinese, Far Eastern or Eastern European

[jonchellycain]

Hi
i would agree with christine probably chinese, 100% not whitefriars
michelle

[hoebywan]

I agree that the matt finish on the base is unlike Whitefriars however are there examples of matt finish on Eastern European or Chinese ground pontil mark bases? I would be interested to see a photo to compare if possible. Anyone else have any ideas or comments? I will say the vase eels far from modern!

Thanks for your input so far.

[Lustrousstone]

Modern includes the last 30 or so years. I suggest you do a search on the board for Chinese. I don't think you will find your exact vase but they export huge quantities of glass in huge variety, much of it very similar to glass made elsewhere but the tell-tale sign is the lack of base finishing, i.e., the base is roughly ground. Unfortunately ebay and antique centres are full of Chinese glass being misidentified. Not all Chinese glass is derivative but much of it is churned out at speed to satisfy the world's requirement for low cost. BIG also seems to be a feature. A good hot-worked glass studio or factory takes more care with finishing (a small studio may not finish at all). I'm not quite sure how it feels old - "free-form" hot worked glass of this ilk is mid 20th century onwards and this sort of style is fairly ageless.

[Greg.]

95% chinese, difficult to say precisely without handling, have come accross similar vases from the far east before.

[hoebywan]

Oh well I have handled A good amount of quality studio glass in my time and If the Chinese have produced this item good luck to them. The colour is perfect, it looks and feels the part and displays beautifully. Next to my Whitefriars Ruby piece it looks perfectly at home. I will happily keep and display my little £7 purchase and not feel ripped off at all!.

Once again thanks for all your input.

[Anne]

I have a superb Taiwan-made ruby bowl as well which you'd swear was made in Murano - so it's not unusual to see some good pieces appearing. As glasshouses have closed in Europe who is employing those people? Some have gone to work in China, and so the standard has risen and will continue to do so.