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Glass Discussion & Research. NO IDENTIFICATION REQUESTS here please. => British & Irish Glass => Topic started by: jakgene on March 29, 2011, 10:02:57 AM

Title: The Postie has been - IOW bowl - blue or black azurene?
Post by: jakgene on March 29, 2011, 10:02:57 AM
Just received this gorgeous Isle of Wight bowl (bought from New South Wales). I can't decide whether it is blue or black azurene? I don't have any Black Azurene pieces to compare to, but do have a couple of blue azurene paperweights from the same era (same label) and they seem a brighter blue. Was the base glass of the "black" azurene really a dark blue?  Either way I am pleased with it - I have never seen a bowl before, and it is in perfect condition -  even the base is completely unmarked despite being 20+ years old. the seller said it had been in a box in the cupboard for years and I believe her  :)
I have included a pic of one of my Blue Azurene paperweights purely for a colour comparison.

Any ideas people?? Black or Blue??
Thanks for looking
JAK



Title: Re: The Postie has been - IOW bowl - blue or black azurene?
Post by: ahremck on March 29, 2011, 11:27:49 AM
I would suggest it is Blue Azurene - they must have sold well in Australia.  See photos of my bowl.

I also attach photos of an Azure Azurene pwt - apparently the rectangular sticker differentiates it from Blue Azurene.  See excerpt form IOW glass website. 

"The bluish PW is probably the colour called Azure since the square black label with gold lettering indicates it was made in the early 1990s. Azure Azurene was made 1988-1994. Blue Azurene was made 1979-1987 when a triangular label was used and again 1996-1997 and 2005-2009 when a gold label with the words 'The Original' was used."
 
Lovely things aren't they .

Ross
Title: Re: The Postie has been - IOW bowl - blue or black azurene?
Post by: jakgene on March 29, 2011, 01:34:09 PM
Thanks Ross. Yes, the base of your vase does look the same as the inside of my bowl. BUT  is your vase "black" or blue??  I have now found in my book on Michael Harris  (P 85) it does say that the "Black was chosen....although the colour is actually a deep midnight blue"

I also see the different shade in your later paperweight. - However as both my bowl and my paperweight have the same label doesn't that mean they should be the same blue ? My paperweight is a much brighter blue than the bowl still.

regards

JAK

Title: Re: The Postie has been - IOW bowl - blue or black azurene?
Post by: ahremck on March 29, 2011, 01:55:30 PM
As I understand it the shape of the label varied from time to time.  However, if the pwt I have (see piccies) is any guide "Black is Black" and has no blueness.  Normally black glass is made from very intense amethyst glass.  I have no idea what IOW used.
Title: Re: The Postie has been - IOW bowl - blue or black azurene?
Post by: ahremck on March 29, 2011, 01:57:35 PM
Ooops!!!  Slips again.  Wrong button, here are the photos.

Ross
Title: Re: The Postie has been - IOW bowl - blue or black azurene?
Post by: jakgene on March 30, 2011, 12:06:39 PM
Thanks for the pics - yes, I see very dark colour on the paperweight.  The label dates I have taken from the book I have on Michael Harris, Mdina Glass and IOW Studio Glass, also the info about the colour of "black: being a deep blue.  I think that varied from glassmaker to glassmaker. I have a wedgwood glass pweight that is "black: but really a deep amethyst.  Will wait and see what other IOW fans think. Someone out there may have a similar bowl . :X:

Thanks

Jackie
Title: Re: The Postie has been - IOW bowl - blue or black azurene?
Post by: flying free on March 31, 2011, 08:33:05 PM
Jackie I had a black Azurene bowl but when you held it up to the light it showed dark blue.  Not mid blue, bright blue or anything, but dark blue glass. 
Title: Re: The Postie has been - IOW bowl - blue or black azurene?
Post by: jakgene on April 01, 2011, 08:37:26 AM
Thanks Flying Free. I am leaning more to it being "Black" than blue - you have helped me along that path a bit more, Thanks
JAK
Title: Re: The Postie has been - IOW bowl - blue or black azurene?
Post by: chilternhills on April 03, 2011, 11:49:27 PM
The bowl is definitely 'Black' Azurene though not a true black colour as others have said. The shape was made from 1983 to 1987.
Title: Re: The Postie has been - IOW bowl - blue or black azurene?
Post by: chopin-liszt on April 04, 2011, 11:01:04 AM
Black Azurene is a very dark, inky sort of blue, the texture of the colour is fairly dense, but diffuse and misty, Blue Azurene is a bright, cobalty blue, Azure is a much more turquoise-y blue.
Triangular labels precede square ones.
I think your bowl is black.