Topic: glass cocktails sticks and holder, stick with lampwork birds. Lauscha?

[wolkenreb]

I know very little about Lauscha glass, but have recently been looking at some of their work and the holder looks similar to theirs. It is a very delicate piece, very light. The lampwork birds are tiny but quite detailed.  Any thoughts?

[Ivo]

Check out Bimini!

[wolkenreb]

Thanks Ivo. I have looked at both Bimini and Lauscha which, on many sites, are referred to in one breath, as if indistinguishable, see the Glass Encyclopedia:

http://www.20thcenturyglass.com/glass_encyclopedia/german-austrian_glass/bimini_glass.htm

IS there a way of telling one from the other? Or are they not as similar as many would have us believe?

[Ivo]

I would not call them indistinguishable - far from it.  Both are lampwork glass which some people find confusing. Bimini was produced at the time in huge quantities, so much that they had to tender out production to Italy. It seems that Venini was a subcontractor. Bimini has the higher design quality.
If you go-ogle image Bimini glass you will get a nice view of what their specific production was.

[wolkenreb]

Many thanks Ivo. It gets a bit confusing when, as in the link above, several pieces are attributed 'probably by Bimini of Austria or Lauscha of Germany.' And that's a Glass Encyclopedia . .

However, apart from looking at lots of pictures I've been reading more, and very interesting it is too. Fritz Lampl seems to have been quite an extraordinary person.

I really appreciate your sharing your knowledge and expertise, Ivo. It has sent me on a wee quest and I have learned from it (though goodness knows how long I'll retain it for - not long I fear!).

[chopin-liszt]

I have a set of cocktail sticks which look as if they are very closely related to your birds!

It did not come with a fancy holder like yours, but did come in its original tiny little cardboard box - the main reason I bought it, because the original price was written on the box in pencil.

It cost 12/6. 
A HUGE sum of money for 6 little cocktail sticks!

I've been going daft trying to find them. They're not where I thought they were, but when I do find them, I'll photograph them and the box and add it here.

[Ivo]

here is a picture of a positively identified Bimini set; the sticks all have a miniature attached to it.

[chopin-liszt]

I haven't found the sticks, but did track down some old pics.

My memory failed again  - the price was written in biro and was "only" 9/-. still a huge amount.

[wolkenreb]

Thanks for your pics guys.

If I were selling mine, should I describe them a 'probably Bimini', 'possibly Bimini' or just not mention Bimini at all?

[post modern nut]

Ivo, where or how was that set positively identified as Bimini?  I have lost my copy of the Bimini book, but don't remember any cocktail pieces. 

Also a note  - Lauscha is an area of Germany, not a person or a business.  This area is known for its lampworking in the past and continues with contemporary work.