Topic: Identify a dish and its acid-etched mark? - ID = Karel Wunsch

[auntieacid]

Hi all,

This is my first post. I'm posting because I'm really struggling to find this acid etched makers mark online and am new to glass collecting so am learning as I go.

Many thanks in advance for any help you can offer.
Auntieacid

[auntieacid]

Hi all,
I'm just giving this a quick bump...any ideas about this one guys? 

Thank you,
Auntieacid

[Anne]

Please be patient, not everyone visits every day and sometimes it takes a while for the right person to come along. Meanwhile welcome to the board.

[glassobsessed]

How big is it and are those cigarette rests cut into the rim? Also, are the coloured spots painted on or are they 'within' the glass?

John

[auntieacid]

Thank you, both  . I apologise if I seemed impatient, I'm just keen lol.

I didn't know this forum existed until recently. I'm really enjoying browsing through it although I'm afraid I'm not much help to anyone else yet as I'm just learning.

The dish is just over 3 inches tall, and there are two indentations along the top rim. My first thought when I came across it was that it might be an ashtray but its very deep and seems impractical as an ashtray as you couldn't really rest a cigarette on the indentations...

The gold decorations on the sides are painted onto the outside of the glass. They are hand-painted rather than printed on.

I hope that helps.

Thanks again.

[auntieacid]

Sorry John, I've not answered your question clearly...the cigarette rest are cut into the rim, yes. The whole of the top rim is slightly bevelled, inside and out.

Also, in case it's useful info, it's 5 inches in diameter.

Do you think it is an ashtray then? If it is, it's a very fancy ashtray indeed 

[bOBA]

Hi and welcome. This is the personal cartouche used by Karel Wunsch (that is why it is a W) during the late sixties, early 1970's when working at Exbor located at the Crystalex complex in the Czech Republic as was Czechoslovakia. This was only used to indicate small run pieces (how many exactly is not currently known but it is safe to assume maybe less than 500). The acid etch was used only when he was overseeing manufacture himself, on designs in small numbers. I do not know if he used this mark after he left Exbor. Pieces I have seen with this mark normally have the Exbor stamp too. But this could have been omitted, i would presume Exbor. It no longer exists and the pattern books are not currently available to the public. Now in his eighties, he still lives and works running a gallery with his wife. A living legend of Czech glass design!


Robert (bOBA)

[auntieacid]

Hi Robert,

Thank you very much for this information. I've had a look about on the internet and have read a little about Karel Wunsch, as a result of your post....really interesting....and nice to own a piece of his glass. I love it!

So kind of you to help me with this as I had no idea lol.

I'll know next time I see something by him.

Thanks again
Auntieacid x