Glass Message Board

Glass Identification - Post here for all ID requests => Glass => Unresolved Glass Queries => Topic started by: subversivegrrl on December 18, 2012, 08:16:48 PM

Title: Black vase with bubble inclusions, etched surface
Post by: subversivegrrl on December 18, 2012, 08:16:48 PM
Size is ~9"/23 cm - exterior has a satin/etched finish.  There are bubble inclusions throughout.  I would estimate the thickness of the wall at the neck at about 3/16"/4 mm. The bottom has no pontil mark, the center is recessed, and there's a fair amount of wear (can see it pretty well in the photo), which is my only real indication that it's not recent production.  The rim is ground and polished. 

I've concluded it is not US-made, and am guessing it's European, which is not my strong suit - I'm hoping someone here can ID or at least give me some suggestions of manufacturers to look into.

Title: Re: Black vase with bubble inclusions, etched surface
Post by: langhaugh on December 19, 2012, 01:54:57 AM
A very interesting piece. It looks as if it's been dipped in acid, a look I haven't seen before. The inclusions and bubbles make me think of Germany or Sweden, but nothing quite similar springs to mind.

David
Title: Re: Black vase with bubble inclusions, etched surface
Post by: Ivo on December 19, 2012, 08:03:36 AM
The fine bubbles and the mould remind me of Braine-le-Comte from Belgium - however so far  have only seen those in green.  Empoli is supposed to have made similar things but I have never handled one - the only information was in a badly printed catalogue from the 1960s with grainy photographs. Further candidates include Weisswasser in the 1970s and an unknown maker from Romania circa 1980s.  Sorry for this wide answer.
Title: Re: Black vase with bubble inclusions, etched surface
Post by: subversivegrrl on December 19, 2012, 09:18:34 PM
I'm grateful for any suggestions!  It also has been suggested to me on another glass-related site that the somewhat impractical, angular form might be German.  So I have multiple avenues to follow up on - crossing my fingers that one will eventually take me to the right answer.
Title: Re: Black vase with bubble inclusions, etched surface
Post by: John Smith on December 19, 2012, 10:02:57 PM
Not seen one before, but it could have had 'chalk' added to the second batch of glass which can often produce a mulitude of trapped bubbles, before then being cased and then sandblasted perhaps, or as David said, acid bathed.
Title: Re: Black vase with bubble inclusions, etched surface
Post by: chopin-liszt on December 20, 2012, 10:52:36 AM
The shape of the vase is a shape produced at early (Harris period) Mdina and at MDG - exactly the same shape.
However, the colour and finish would preclude either of them. I don't believe the shape was produced after '77 at Mdina, and I don't know the exact date MDG closed, but it was probably by about '80.
Title: Re: Black vase with bubble inclusions, etched surface
Post by: subversivegrrl on December 20, 2012, 08:10:17 PM
Would be nice if it were Mdina or MDG - do you think it's a knock-off, then?
Title: Re: Black vase with bubble inclusions, etched surface
Post by: Lustrousstone on December 20, 2012, 08:33:17 PM
Sue's saying it's not Mdina or MDG and I doubt that something like would be a knock off
Title: Re: Black vase with bubble inclusions, etched surface
Post by: subversivegrrl on December 22, 2012, 04:47:47 AM
No, I understood that Sue was saying the shape is right but color/surface are wrong - when I said "knock-off" I just meant someone copying the form from Mdina/MDG.

I'm afraid this one will remain a perpetual unknown, which absolutely drives me nuts.