Topic: opalina fiorentina - snowflake pattern but on a transparent glass vase

[flying free]

I have a vase that is lilac, transparent glass and is 12" tall but optically ribbed ( I hope that is the right description  ) inside.  Outside it feels completely smooth inside you can feel the ribs which you can see around each side - 5 per side.  It is the same shape as the vase on the right of this link photo and has an identical snowflake on the front.
This link had a link to an ebay item labelled as Opalina Fiorentina.  I am wondering if this would be the same origin for my vase?

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y195/glassie/italian002.jpg

Any thoughts appreciated.  Many thanks
m

[glasshunter]

i like them   bart

[flying free]

I like them too  but would it be churlish to say I prefer them cased and opaque  

I was wondering whether this would be Opalina Fiorentina because all the ones I have seen are opaque - but I have seen one identical that measures the same as mine and is stickered as well.  
However I then found another vase (different) in my searching that is stickered Opalina Fiorentina that is transparent glass.  So hopefully mine is as well.
Here is mine for future reference.

m

[Anne]

Does your lilac one change colour under different lighting? e.g. under fluorescent or low-energy bulbs. I'm idly wondering if it's neodymium glass...

[flying free]

Hi Anne

Well.....at first I thought colour changing glass was quite cool  but now... I am beginning to really dislike it
I looked at my lovely lilac vase tonight after you prompted and put near a low energy bulb this is what happens (see last picture).
I now have a fabulously heavy bowl that I can't put anywhere other than the hall because instead of being lime green it turns dirty pink under normal lighting, and a vase that I can't use in the hall because it makes it go a  aqua instead of lilac        - Well, I guess that is the answer to your question 

I'm going to start taking a torch with me just in case I buy any glass

m

[flying free]

just to say, please excuse the photo which isn't very good, but it really does go a pale blue, quite a dramatic transformation.
And a question then.  Does this preclude it being from Opalina Fiorentina and hence that this same mould was used elsewhere?  or does it indicate that they were also using neodymium glass?  From the little I have found it seems that neodymium was used in many countries.
m

[glassobsessed]

A photo tip: to stop your pictures going yellow because of electric light change your camera's tone or white balance setting when taking the photos.

If you can (a manual would probably come in handy ) you will probably be able to set the camera for tungsten lightbulbs (old fashioned lightbulbs) or fluorescent light (fluorescent tubes and low energy 'bulbs').

Your photos will then magically appear the right colour.

John

[flying free]

Hi John
thanks   I did get the manual and have a go, but I need to take it without a flash otherwise it just shows lilac and I can't alter the balance on the setting without flash sadly.  I know, I am probably still doing something wrong, but at least I have now learnt why my lovely camera took such awful photos on holiday (son reset the settings and I hadn't a clue how to set them back again )

m

[glassobsessed]

To make it work on my camera (flash is always turned off) I had to change the cameras mode from auto to portrait, then change the white balance setting.

With the flash off it helps to hold the camera steady so your photos are not blurred. A tripod can help to steady the camera (no tripod - try resting the camera against a wall or a chair).

John

[flying free]

thanks John
I tried again tonight but to no avail.  I think I will have to do it when no kids around to distract 
In the meantime though it goes from  a lovely lilac to a mid aqua blue colour....really it does even though I can't show it 

m