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Glass Discussion & Research. NO IDENTIFICATION REQUESTS here please. => Murano & Italy Glass => Topic started by: Martyn K on July 04, 2007, 03:03:35 PM

Title: Large sommerso vase...Seguso.??
Post by: Martyn K on July 04, 2007, 03:03:35 PM
Hi,

Would appreciate your opinions on this large sommerso vase....

When I bought it I found an almost identical vase but in a grey colourway in an auction catalogue described as Flavio Poli for Seguso Vetri d'Art....since I treat all auction attributions with huge scepticism and have'nt been able to find one exactly the same since I'd be very interested in your thoughts.

It's unmarked, polished base, 29cm (11 1/2in) high and very heavy.

Vase.......http://glassgallery.yobunny.org.uk/displayimage.php?pos=-7745

close up...http://glassgallery.yobunny.org.uk/displayimage.php?pos=-7744

Many thanks,

Martyn.
Title: Re: Large sommerso vase...Seguso.??
Post by: Laura Friedman on July 04, 2007, 05:00:49 PM
It looks newish to me. Flavio Poli (Seguso Vetri d'Arte) rarely used bright colors.  This looks like the kind of work I see being produced today by companies like Oggetti.
Title: Re: Large sommerso vase...Seguso.??
Post by: Martyn K on July 06, 2007, 06:40:10 PM
many thanks Laura,

The colour may not be quite as intense as it appears in the pictures, but I agree very similar pieces are being produced today, I thought I might have seen the shape popping up somewhere (ebay) if it was really new, but have'nt....why dont they simply mark thier work to avoid confusion??

I have seen numerous pieces with a very similar colour combination at least attributed to Poli SVdA at [respectable] auction houses, so would appreciate any other input to see if the concensus is that this is modern.

I paid next to nothing for it a year or so back and just want to put my mind at rest.
Title: Re: Large sommerso vase...Seguso.??
Post by: Lustrousstone on July 07, 2007, 07:32:55 AM
It's lovely but I too would say modern. That's a very modern pink and I've seen it on sites selling new stuff. The older stuff seems to have much more traditional colours - red, blue, green and amber with a bit of uranium green/yellow thrown in
Title: Re: Large sommerso vase...Seguso.??
Post by: Martyn K on July 07, 2007, 02:50:27 PM
Much appreciated I'm becoming inclined to agree...  :(

just did a quick search for my own education and thought these were interesting comparative vases offered at Wright, Chicago over the last few years...

http://www2.wright20.com:8080/4DCGI/Web_Individual_Lots/DLPX/794

Important italian Design  05 december 2006
lot 794
Flavio Poli
Sommerso vase
Seguso Vetri d'Arte
Italy, c. 1954
glass
7.5 w x 4 d x 9.25 h

http://www2.wright20.com:8080/4DCGI/Web_Individual_Lots/B8RX/604

Important Italian Design  06 december 2005
lot 604
Flavio Poli
Valva vase
Seguso Vetri D'Arte
Italy, c. 1952
glass
6.75 w x 3.75 d x 10.25 h

http://www2.wright20.com:8080/4DCGI/Web_Individual_Lots/AAV/346

modern art and design auction  06 october 2002
lot 346
Flavio Poli
Sommerso vase
Seguso Vetri D'Arte
Italy
12.5 h


I think this last one may have been the vase I spotted last year that I thought looked very similar, although with a different rim.
Title: Re: Large sommerso vase...Seguso.??
Post by: Laura Friedman on July 07, 2007, 04:43:16 PM
I think that Seguso did some sommersos in the purple color scheme, but they are a more muted purple than your piece seems to show. The only vase at the Wright auctions you listed that I would agree 100% to be Poli is the "valva" vase - the one that gets very thin at the top.  This is a known Poli form and I don't think anyone copied it.  To me, this vase is more technically perfect than yours. Also, there is something about the thickness of the rim of your vase that bothers me - I've seen similar work on newer pieces.

All that said, it's really, really hard to tell what is old and what is new with sommersos, as they have been in continuous production since their introduction.  Even experts have trouble telling the difference sometimes.  I'm not sure your piece is new, or even that it's not Seguso. I am only telling you my gut reaction, based both on the colors but more importantly the form, which to my eye, looking at a photo, seems somewhat sloppy.  Of course, I'm only looking at a photo and might change my mind completely if I were to see the piece in person.

Laura
Title: Re: Large sommerso vase...Seguso.??
Post by: TxSilver on July 08, 2007, 03:34:58 AM
Martyn, I agree with you that your vase's color scheme is very Poli-like. Some of his things are very colorful. The mouth doesn't seem Poli-like to me, however -- a difference that you also noticed. So many countries and companies do the tear drop vases that may be difficult to track down exactly who did the vase. Do you think it may be Polish or Scandinavian? They do some very nice tear drop vases.

It is a pretty vase with the three layers of colors. Even if it is not Seguso, it is a very nice vase.

Anita
Title: Re: Large sommerso vase...Seguso.??
Post by: Martyn K on July 08, 2007, 02:50:26 PM
Hi Anita, Laura

I dont think it's Scandi and dont know enough about Polish glass to say with any real conviction, but am 95% happy that it was made in Italy unless someone knows otherwise. You both made a good point about the lip shape/form though 'sloppy'  might be overstating it slightly :) I agree it was what bothered me most about a Poli, Seguso attribution.

It is a very pretty colour combination and if anyone does recognise it or have any other suggested makers for me to research please join in.

Thank you Laura, Christine and Anita for your opinions you've been very generous.


Incidentally none of the Wright vases reached thier reserves....
Title: Re: Large sommerso vase...Seguso.??
Post by: Laura Friedman on July 09, 2007, 05:21:39 PM
I'm presenting these vases (Chinese imports) only for comparison's sake, with no comment:

http://cgi.ebay.com/NEW-ITALY-ELEGANT-WATER-DROP-VASE-BY-BESTEC-MURANO_W0QQitemZ280131247361

http://cgi.ebay.com/Geometric-cut-Glass-Sommerso-Vase-Best-Quality_W0QQitemZ230148636443

http://cgi.ebay.com/Blue-Sommero-Canteen-Glass-Vase-Best-Quality_W0QQitemZ230148656031
Title: Re: Large sommerso vase...Seguso.??
Post by: Martyn K on July 09, 2007, 06:48:17 PM
WELL...

It would be nice to get permenant images of those on this thread for future reference....How on earth are they making a profit from the those, the post is'nt even that high.!!

The Chinese are getting quite good so it seems, the blue looks fairly close so I have to accept it's possible but I'm still holding on to the hope that mine is'nt a crazily cheap Chinese import, I think the layers of sommerso on those you've illustrated could be described as somewhat sloppy (but not too bad) so my confidence is shaken but not broken.....(not yet anyway).........

Does'nt the first of your three look very like the first of the Wright vases I posted....or is that just my eyes??
Title: Re: Large sommerso vase...Seguso.??
Post by: Laura Friedman on July 09, 2007, 06:54:30 PM
Martyn, even if I saw your piece in person I'm not sure if I'd know for sure if it were Asian or Italian, so don't feel bad.  Hopefully, you will enjoy the vase even if there's a bit of doubt in the back of your mind as to its origin.

Laura
Title: Re: Large sommerso vase...Seguso.??
Post by: Anne on July 09, 2007, 11:50:44 PM
It's a good while since it was mentioned, but there is a small collection of known Chinese designs on Terry's (glasswizard) site here: http://www.geocities.com/muscadale/