Topic: Alisons Flower Vase

[ardy]

Hi All bought this for Alison as she likes the colours. I thought it might be Japanese then on getting it I am not sure what the hell it is. Could be Chinese or eastern European.

Any ideas?

[chopin-liszt]

 
I don't know what the hell it is either!
It appears to be well-made. The straps gently meld towards the top, the pulegoso seems good quality.
I *think* it has a completely flat polished base, but when I enlarge the pic all I get is a mass of pixels so I can' really tell.

But then the rim is a bit thick and unsophisticated, and the colours do seem rather bright. It is also quite substantial.
My guts are suspecting contemporary Chinese. The quality has improved vasty recently and they are also using some very sophisticated techniques now.

I think it will be lovely as a usable, practical flower vase .

[ardy]

Thanks Sue and you could be right. The base is polished with a well ground indent but  I could not get a clear photo of it. As you say the top is amateur but there are elements of good construction.

It stands about 12" (300mm) tall. It is the thickness of the top that made me think possibly Chinese and maybe that is the element that says it is not eastern Europe.  If it is Chinese it's better than other stuff I have seen.

Great flower vase but if it gets broken for some reason I will not fold into the foetal position which I might do with some of my A. Seguso vases.

[flying free]

I found this one - it's not identical but seems to have the bubbles and the brightly coloured bits in?  maybe a 'range' ?
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/venetian-bubble-glass-vase-with-coloured-squares-/171026029689?pt=UK_Art_Glass&hash=item27d1f21c79
m

[ardy]

Thanks M - very similar and the same indented polished pontil. I have put it on the watch list but I bet it ain't venetian!

[chopin-liszt]

Well-spotted M! 
No evidence for it being venetian, though. The colours are not very '50s/'60s are they? They look rather new to my eye.
That one looks to be finished off better at the top - it's certanly more elegant, but the pulegoso is not so fine.

I used to use a very loose rule-of-thumb for id-ing contemporary Chinese - although I do not think it is one that can be applied now because the quality and complexity has improved so much.
It was along the lines of "even if it's got some superior features, if they're mixed up with inferior features it is probably Chinese".

Is there any age-related wear to the base, Ardy?

[ardy]

Hi Sue - there are scratches across the base but was that done by age or a coarse grind at the end? Who knows. I think it is second hand but not from the 50's or 60's.

[chopin-liszt]

It would be good to get a comment from somebody who does know about Japanese glass. 

[ardy]

Hi Sue - I have one piece of Heniri? it's a large vase in Murano style with colours blended into it and between that piece and this piece there is daylight.

If there is someone who knows their Japanese glass I would like to hear what they have to say, and also to follow them, as the one piece we have is lovely.

Not as good as Archimede of course but gorgeous all the same.

[chopin-liszt]

Is Kane not our "resident Japanese glass enthusiast"? 
He's not here on a daily basis.