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Glass Discussion & Research. NO IDENTIFICATION REQUESTS here please. => British & Irish Glass => Topic started by: Gavin on February 05, 2012, 09:30:59 AM

Title: Michael Harris attenuated bottle vases
Post by: Gavin on February 05, 2012, 09:30:59 AM
Hello everyone, just a quick one about some vases i bought at a boot fair.
 I was lucky enough to snap these up before the dealers got to them, they are,or seem to be, a matched  pair of Michael Harris bottle vases. My question is, would these have been made as a pair, or has someone been lucky enough to find two near identical vases over time? They are both 385mm high, of the same colouring and sit so well together.
Also, i need to put these on my contents insurance, would them being a pair increase their value by much? I was thinking a value of 450-500 for insurance? Lastly i have to say this is a great group you have here, a very valuable resource, if i could find one for Chinese bronze as good as this i'd be very happy!
Title: Re: Michael Harris attenuated bottle vases
Post by: chopin-liszt on February 05, 2012, 12:00:04 PM
They won't be a matched pair, honest - just a nicely complementary couple.
Any chance of a pic? There are several different designs and heights and scarcities.
I'm not sure about value as a "pair", given they're not. I would think if you were to sell them you'd do better with seperate sales - at different times.
Are the Mdina or Isle of Wight Studio Glass? Are the signed?
Title: Re: Michael Harris attenuated bottle vases
Post by: glassobsessed on February 05, 2012, 02:11:12 PM
Probably bought together and have since stayed together, that is how I ended up with two of mine. As Sue says, quite a few variables re value and can we see some photos please. ;D

If you run into trouble attaching photos to this thread, reply and ask for help. Some tips here: http://www.glassmessages.com/index.php/topic,6522.0.html

Welcome to the board.

John
Title: Re: Michael Harris attenuated bottle vases
Post by: chopin-liszt on February 05, 2012, 02:15:00 PM
All of my "balanced for display purposes" bits were found seperately.  8)
Every piece of Mdina or IoWSG is unique.
Title: Re: Michael Harris attenuated bottle vases
Post by: Gavin on February 07, 2012, 11:26:32 AM
Have to confess to being a bit of a Luddite i'm afraid, have uploaded some pics to picasa, but cant seem to do anymore with them. Could try to e-mail them if anyone wants a look.
 
Gavin
Title: Re: Michael Harris attenuated bottle vases
Post by: chopin-liszt on February 07, 2012, 11:30:51 AM
I'm (more than) happy to have a peek and see if I can get them uploaded here.
You'll find my email address by clicking on the icon under my name. (pms don't work here, it will have to be email.)
Title: Re: Michael Harris attenuated bottle vases
Post by: Gavin on February 07, 2012, 07:36:32 PM
Hi Sue, have sent you an e-mail, hoping it came through ok. Pretty certain they're IOWSG, unsigned and no labels present.

  Gavin.
Title: Re: Michael Harris attenuated bottle vases
Post by: chopin-liszt on February 08, 2012, 11:46:59 AM
They're Isle of Wight Studio Glass "Aurene" bottles. I still need to download and fix them for posting.
Title: Re: Michael Harris attenuated bottle vases
Post by: chopin-liszt on February 08, 2012, 01:57:08 PM
Pics are a bit fuzzy, Gavin, but enough to be able to id them.
The colours are really good in both. :thup:

How tall are they?
Title: Re: Michael Harris attenuated bottle vases
Post by: Gavin on February 08, 2012, 02:21:27 PM
Pictures don't really do them justice, i have a great camera but laptop is a bit old and doesn't have a card reader so my son did it all with his phone for me! The one on the left is 39cm with the right being 38.5cm.

 Gavin
Title: Re: Michael Harris attenuated bottle vases
Post by: glassobsessed on February 08, 2012, 02:22:40 PM
Very nice, they look like taller examples to me, Aurene is becoming increasingly popular. As far as insurance goes, if you wanted to rush out and buy a pair you would be extremely lucky to find two for sale. If you could find two at retail I doubt you would have much change from your £500 these days.

I find this a difficult shape to photograph, they are so tall and skinny that I just end up with a little coloured blob in the center of the photo surrounded by huge expanses of white....

Here is another Aurene example: https://picasaweb.google.com/Johnmj100/EarlyIsleOfWightStudioGlass#5484549765600200162

John

At those sizes they are shorter examples (slightly rarer).
Title: Re: Michael Harris attenuated bottle vases
Post by: Gavin on February 08, 2012, 02:50:21 PM
I fully agree with you about capturing them on film, i wouldn't think they were the same vases in some pictures i've taken, it's all about catching the right light which is beyond my abilities i'm afraid.
 My wife is keen for me to sell these on and turn a nice profit, but i love them too much right now. When i bought them i had no idea what they were, just liked the look of them and took a bit of a punt.

 Gavin
Title: Re: Michael Harris attenuated bottle vases
Post by: art-of-glass on February 08, 2012, 03:02:33 PM
I have just turned green with envy, they look stunning!
Title: Re: Michael Harris attenuated bottle vases
Post by: davidfish1212 on February 08, 2012, 03:27:46 PM
John, your pictures look really good to me, great pieces both of you, very jealous guys.
Title: Re: Michael Harris attenuated bottle vases
Post by: glassobsessed on February 08, 2012, 05:27:46 PM
Thanks, I hope to be able to update that photo with my own short Aurene bottle in a month or three.

The problem that can occur when you sell items like this is if you change your mind later then the chances are it will be extremely difficult to replace them with similar examples. If you like them and can afford to hang on to them then you can always sell at a later date (prices for Michael Harris' work are on the up at present).

One 'downside' is you might decide to add to your budding collection...... ;D

John

Title: Re: Michael Harris attenuated bottle vases
Post by: Gavin on February 09, 2012, 10:05:15 AM
Thanks for all the feedback guys, and a very big thanks to Sue for getting a pic up for me, your help is appreciated so much.
  I think i'm slowly winning the battle with my wife, convincing her that they are a sound investment to be held on to for a while. But if i do ever decide to sell i'll post details on here.

  Gavin.
Title: Re: Michael Harris attenuated bottle vases
Post by: chopin-liszt on February 09, 2012, 12:11:20 PM
They are particularly beautiful pieces, they are very, very desirable. There are only a limited number of them made, over a short period of time in the early days of IoWSG. Michael Harris' hand was in nearly every one, if not all of them.
I reckon a very sound investment to be hanging on to.
I'm certainly hanging on to mine!
Title: Re: Michael Harris attenuated bottle vases
Post by: Gavin on February 14, 2013, 09:11:08 PM
I've entered these in an auction sale, although i still have time to pull them as i missed this months auction so wont be going under the hammer until 21st March! They're being sold as a pair, the auctioneer seems to think they'll do better that way.
 Also selling my signed and numbered weight. I'm a bit reluctant to sell, but needs must i'm afraid so they have to go  :(

They're up with Tooveys in West Sussex but wont feature on line for a few weeks yet. As i said i have about 10 days to change my mind before they start cataloging them. I'm going to do my best spreading this little bit of news, if you want to know any thing about them feel free to email me Stoneuk1967@yahoo.com.

Thanks  Gavin
Title: Re: Michael Harris attenuated bottle vases
Post by: chopin-liszt on February 15, 2013, 10:41:50 AM
 :) You can make a new thread about the auction in the Market Place forum here - which is the appropriate place for any sales to be discussed.