Topic: Val St Lambert - Just for show...

[Anne Tique]

Thank you! The engraved vase, you meant the one with the child? I'm trying to find a way to exhibit it or something. I got in touch with a writer on VSL. The vase is known due to the Expo catalogue, but not been seen for God knows how long. I found out that half way through the 30ies, the engraved pieces were all sold, and as this vase is not illustrated anywhere else, I guess it ended up in private hands. I thought it would be nice to share it, as the others from the series are in museums already.

[flying free]

yes the one with the figure.

The hammered effect might actually be known as martele?

m

[Anne Tique]

Yes, that's right, martelé comes from martelage.

[Anne Tique]

Just two images to show the engraving, and not because it's my vase but I think it's pretty well done ... I can't even draw like that ... unfortunately I haven't been able to get rid of the reflections.

[Anne Tique]

Just an update on the engraved vase with the child, right above in my last post.

 I have been approached by the curator of a museum here in Belgium and after some consideration, decided that it deserves to be shared with the public. It will be placed in a new exhibition with its catalogue. I'm happy with that but with mixed emotions at the same time I have to add. I know it's just a vase but it was such an exciting discovery and research to do, finding more and more info as time went on, but as it is part of the Belgian cultural heritage, it should be seen by everybody who wishes to do so, instead of sitting here in my living room. It will be joining some of the other pieces used for the exhibitions, and it is a nice thought that after 90 years, they're slowly getting back together again.



Another piece I wanted to show is this vase  'Fragnée', red crystal cased with a colour VSL called 'bleu Pompéi'. The pattern is cut on the inside of the vase and not on the outside. VSL had just a few models that they used this pattern on but I don't know if they were exclusive in doing so. In french we call this cut pastilles or lentils, but I don't know the English word for it. Bubble cut?    Have I invented a new word? Illustrated in the 1926 catalogue and 26 cm in height.

[flying free]

Lovely to hear the update on the engraved vase. 
And I love the new red and blue vase - that's absolutely fabulous.
I think the cut might be referred to as 'lenses' or maybe 'lozenges' perhaps, but I would think of them as 'lenses'?

m

[Anne Tique]

Lenses would make sense, it creates an optic effect, thanks M.

[Anne Tique]

Having redone my interior, or rather giving directions to my son and some decorators, I was looking for some new pieces and came across this whopper.

VSL of course, this lamp 'Camée Arlequin' is catalogued for 1973.  Produced for a very short period as in 1974 the company went bust and got reorganised. Pieces like this would have been taken out of production after that and not many have survived, due to the size and fragility. It stands at just under one meter high and just for the photo,  I have put a 75 cl wine bottle (empty of course) next to it, to put it in perspective.

There are a few models in the Camée collection and these pieces, like this lamp, are signed just VSL in capital letters and the signature is very easy to miss...it took me two weeks to find it, but having the catalogue, I knew what I got. I attribute this to the Belgian artist George Collignon, as he used to sign his pieces for VSL like this and it is catalogued amongst his pieces for VSL in the 1973 catalogue.

One of the largest pieces VSL has produced and a talking point every time I receive somebody at home...an a pain in the neck to dust for my cleaning lady, as she gets wobbly knees every time she approaches it 

[Lustrousstone]

Wow! Lovely Anne

[Anne Tique]

Thank you Christine, I'm sure its not to everyone's taste due to its size and 'presence' and you can't ignore it, but it works well with some of the 70's pieces that I've got now. I've got the space, so it is not too large on the eye, if that makes sense.