Topic: Tall blue vase with colourless casing and six amethyst prunts

[Helen W.]

Hello everyone 

This is my first post here, and the first of several ID enquiries concerning both newly acquired and longstanding items in the collection I've built up with my husband over the years.

This vase came from an antiques centre in north east England, just a couple of weeks ago. It was in a cabinet of Bohemian/Czech glass of various periods. I've attached photos, but I apologise for their low quality. I have a very good camera, but I'm not experienced in finding the correct exposure and lighting for glassware.

The vase weighs 1405g. Height is 349mm or approx. 13.75 inches. Diameter at the top is approx. 90mm or 3.5 inches, and at the base it is approx. 55mm or 2.2 inches.

The prunts are flat and roughly disc-shaped, arranged in alternating pairs up the lower half of the body. The point of attachment to the body can be seen as a diamond shape. The amethyst colour has darker-toned speckles within it.

The pontil is ground, polished and signed. I haven't been able to decipher the signature, but there are telltale signs that the glassmaker is a left-hander. I recognise one of my tribe. The initial might be a P, J or I. The surname ends with a W. The initial and the W both bear the typical left-hander's backwards bend on the vertical stroke. I don't know if this observation helps, but thought I'd put it out there.

Thanks for your help.