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Glass Discussion & Research. NO IDENTIFICATION REQUESTS here please. => Scandinavian Glass => Topic started by: normski on August 03, 2012, 10:17:55 AM

Title: kosta vase
Post by: normski on August 03, 2012, 10:17:55 AM
a friend of mine has a vase acquired some 30 years ago in Canada. I don't have a picture to post yet, but it is clear glass about 20cm tall with kosta etched on the base, followed by what looks like "y3 asl"'. The Kosta bit is straightforward, but any ideas about the other letters? It is engraved with small flowers.
I would appreciate any suggestions.
Thanks
Title: Re: kosta vase
Post by: glassobsessed on August 03, 2012, 12:36:38 PM
Welcome to the message board.

A photo of the vase and another of the signature would be helpful, reply and ask for help if you have trouble posting photos.

John
Title: Re: kosta vase
Post by: normski on August 03, 2012, 01:48:08 PM
thanks for that, i'll try and get some shots of the vase and the base showing the inscription.
Title: Kosta Vase
Post by: normski on August 16, 2012, 04:35:50 PM
further to earlier posts, can anyone help me identify the origin and likely date of this vase bought some 30 years ago in Canada, any any likely value would be much appreciated.
Title: Re: Kosta Vase
Post by: dinklepip on August 16, 2012, 04:44:31 PM
http://www.20thcenturyglass.com/store/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=66_174
Title: Re: kosta vase
Post by: langhaugh on August 17, 2012, 12:50:42 AM
I can't make out the lettering/numbering.  It's a very simple design for Kosta, which makes me doubt that it was done by a top designer there.  These vases don't sell for much most places, including eBay.  That's not to denigrate the piece, just to acknowledge the current market.

David
Title: Re: kosta vase
Post by: acote on August 17, 2012, 09:32:59 PM
The signature appears to be 'Kosta 43054'.  The '4' means the the piece is a vase, and the 3054 is the id.  Based on the id, it was probably designed in the mid to late 1960s.
Title: Re: kosta vase
Post by: langhaugh on August 17, 2012, 11:03:12 PM
My guess at the numbers was the same as what acote saw. I tried to see the the initial "4" as "LH," which indicates handformed design by Lindstrand, but it clearly isn't. My problem with the  the numbers is that when Kosta moved in the early 70's from four number coding to five number coding, the second and third numbers gave the year of the design, and 1930 is clearly not the date of design for this piece.  If the numbers are correct, I would guess this is an early 70's piece after five number coding was introduced and before the second and third numbers referred to a specific date.

I agree that the "4" indicates a vase.

David

Title: Re: kosta vase
Post by: acote on August 18, 2012, 10:10:13 PM
Hi David

What you said got me thinking about the numbering system, and as I've understood it, Kosta used a transition number system between the 4 digit system, and the 5 digit system.  The transition numbers were simply the 4 digit numbers with the type number added to the front.  As an example, I've included two pictures of the same type of piece.  The first is from a piece that was sold in the late 50s, and the second is from a piece that was sold in the late 60s.  You can see how they both have the same number, but a 4 was added to the second one.  This is what led me to believe that the piece was designed in the mid to late 60s, and was probably sold around the same time as well.  What do you think?

Aaron
Title: Re: kosta vase
Post by: langhaugh on August 18, 2012, 10:35:17 PM
Aaron,

That's certainly possible. There's a gap in any information about the dating of numbers Kosta used between about 1963 and 1986, at least as I've been able to find out. The algae vase you show was designed in 1963.  That means between 1955, when  Kosta started at 1000, and 1963, when 1784 was produced, 784 designs were created in the hand made category. 3054 is almost 1300 designs later, which is why I guessed it was designed pretty close to when the numbering system was changed in the 70's.  But you're right, I'm only guessing and your estimation is just as valid.

David
Title: Re: kosta vase
Post by: acote on August 19, 2012, 03:48:50 AM
That's a good point.  Also, considering that engraved pieces were only 3 digit numbers, it opens up another question about the 3054.  It doesn't look like an Elis Bergh piece, but perhaps it's one of the ones that were re-introduced.  A 1970 sales catalog would sure answer a lot of questions, but I've never seen one.