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Glass Discussion & Research. NO IDENTIFICATION REQUESTS here please. => Bohemia, Czechoslovakia, Czech Republic, Austria => Topic started by: Glen on June 29, 2005, 07:31:28 AM

Title: A selection of Oberglas vases - some iridised, some not
Post by: Glen on June 29, 2005, 07:31:28 AM
I've posted photos of a selection of the vases which I have mentioned from time to time (thread on Textured vases with Eye Pattern and elsewhere). These vases have some unique characteristics which leads me to believe they are probably from the same maker. The marigold vases have been found bearing the label OBERGLAS - Austria.

1. Mostly they have interesting and unusual "textures" in the form of the moulded pattern. For example, tree trunk effects, bubbles and bobbles etc.

2. On the ones I have examined, the neck may be ground (might be polished) and there is a narrow band that can also have some sort of pattern within it.

3. The shape of the vases can be straight sided, or "in and out", or with flattened panels. Interesting variety.

4. The base is usually patterned and is not ground.

5. Colours vary - clear glass, two colours (may be stained, not sure of this), and with light (may be cold applied, again I am not sure) iridescence. I have seen marigold, cranberry and green (very lightly) iridised.

Here are some pics - they are not the best and they are not recent. If we get chance to do a new set sometime I will post them, but at least this gives you an idea.

Moderator:  The links below have been added below and can be seen at the bottom of this page in Glen's posting:

http://tinypic.com/6hj0hi.jpg
Two vases, one cranberry iridised and one marigold

http://tinypic.com/6hj0na.jpg
Detail of the cranberry one (called "Four Sided Treetrunk")

http://tinypic.com/6hj0a8.jpg
Top rim of the cranberry one

http://tinypic.com/6hj11v.jpg
Base of the cranberry one

http://tinypic.com/6hj0q0.jpg
Two clear (flint) vases, similar style

http://tinypic.com/6hj0uu.jpg
Two more vases, one in green-yellow two tone, and the other clear with an interesting pattern and shape.

Glen
All photos, text etc. Copyright G & S Thistlewood. 2005
Title: A selection of Oberglas vases - some iridised, some not
Post by: Ivo on June 29, 2005, 07:53:31 AM
Oberglas can usually be defined by the abominable finish of the edges, the plastic inserts around stoppers, the shoddy mould definitions and the yellowish tinge of the glass. In short, it is a bottom feeder.... 8)
Title: A selection of Oberglas vases - some iridised, some not
Post by: Glen on June 29, 2005, 09:33:27 AM
I wasn't trying to suggest that the vases would win prizes in a beauty parade. I was simply posting the photos and giving as much information as I could, as requested, so as to help anyone who finds a similar "mystery" vase in the future. I would have posted photos before but I have been very pressed for time (still am).

These vases have come up several times in discussions - the most recent being the Davidson Luna vase thread. When I first saw the one I call "Cascades" (the marigold bubbly one) I wondered if it might be Davidsons or Whitefriars. I discussed it with Chris Stewart and abandoned the Davidson idea.....and then discussed it with Whitefriars collectors, and abandoned the Whitefriars idea. So who the heck made it? I posted my query on the old Glass Message Board, with photos, but no-one had a clue.

For several years I had no idea - then finally found a vase with the Oberglas label. Mystery solved - hooray - and I also felt that there were various other "mystery" vases that I had seen that were probably Oberglas too.

So - I am simply offering these photos and my observations (for what they are worth) in order that other collectors who come across these items will know in future what they are.

Glen
Title: A selection of Oberglas vases - some iridised, some not
Post by: Ivo on June 29, 2005, 01:08:11 PM
Quote from: "Glen"
I wasn't trying to suggest that the vases would win prizes in a beauty parade.
Glen


 :D  :D  :D  Good work, Glen - really useful information  :D  :D  :D
Title: A selection of Oberglas vases - some iridised, some not
Post by: Glen on June 29, 2005, 01:20:33 PM
To amuse you all (maybe) I'll tell you that Marion Quintin Baxendale puts a value on a marigold "Four Sided Tree Trunk" vase (a smaller version of the cranberry one I showed) of $160.

Glen
Title: A selection of Oberglas vases - some iridised, some not
Post by: paradisetrader on June 29, 2005, 05:37:21 PM
Glen - Is that the right company ?
 STOELZLE OBERGLAS AG & CO, Koeflach, Austria

Glad you like it ...I noticed the same turned-out rim on your cranberry one - an unusual feature - do the others have that ?

 $160  !! Maybe once people stop thinking they're Whitefriars even the non-carnival may become collectable in their own right. Quality is not so bad for fun glass. I'm surprised at the wide range you show.

Oberglass is not included but by chance I found this site
Crinkled and Wrinkled Glass
http://crinkle.freeservers.com/
I think I may have ID'd a couple of my other wrinkly crinklies from it.
Title: A selection of Oberglas vases - some iridised, some not
Post by: Anne E.B. on June 29, 2005, 05:41:24 PM
Very interesting to see your vases Glen.  I recently sold this one but never knew what it actually was. Its the same as your "four sided tree trunk" taken from a different angle, but it is clear glass.   I wish I'd kept it :roll:
Regards Anne :lol:
http://tinypic.com/6hrzhc.jpg
Title: A selection of Oberglas vases - some iridised, some not
Post by: Glen on June 29, 2005, 05:47:47 PM
Hi Peter - I guess it's the right company. Oberglas was the name on the label - but I think they are not current or even recent production. I've known about the cranberry iridised one for some years now.

I'd take the $160 price tag with a pinch of salt. Mrs Q-B had one to sell in her auction some years back, so..........

I would guesstimate more in the region of £15 - £30 for a Carnival version, but who knows.

Your comment made me ponder on the quality of glass. Does it matter? There's plenty of splendid quality glass that I wouldn't give tuppence for. And then there's some mass produced glass that was originally sold at low cost that is now worth thousands $$$$$$

Glen
Title: A selection of Oberglas vases - some iridised, some not
Post by: Glen on June 29, 2005, 05:49:11 PM
Oh yes Anne....that's a nice vase too. Thanks for posting it. There really are a lot of these intriguing items around.

Can anyone show us any more of these variations?
Title: A selection of Oberglas vases - some iridised, some not
Post by: Anne E.B. on September 25, 2005, 04:23:42 PM
I know quite a while has passed since Oberglas was aired, but I have what I think might be another variation for the record, with lumps, bumps and 'bubbles' shown on the left of the picture. http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y195/glassie/oberglassplus002.jpg

However, the tumbler on the right seems to be of a better quality. http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y195/glassie/rims.jpg

I have a large turquoise Davidson Lunar bowl, but the surface texture is very different to this. The bottom of the tumbler is "scalloped" and it appears to have possibly three seams. http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y195/glassie/oberglassplus004.jpg

Any ideas as to what this might be would be much appreciated.
Many thanks.

Regards - Anne E.B.
Title: A selection of Oberglas vases - some iridised, some not
Post by: Glen on September 25, 2005, 04:25:45 PM
Yes Anne - the vase on the left is the one I named (a year or two ago) as "Cascades". It is known in two sizes in marigold iridescent. Oberglas for sure  :lol:

Sorry, can't help with the others.

Glen
Title: A selection of Oberglas vases - some iridised, some not
Post by: Anonymous on September 25, 2005, 06:47:31 PM
<whistles>  I just sit here behind my computer waiting for you to identify my mystery items - here you managed to ID half a dozen, including flower vases, ice buckets, ash trays, peanut bowls and items of a less salubrious nature  :D  :D  :D  :D  :D  :D
Ivo Unlogged
Title: A selection of Oberglas vases - some iridised, some not
Post by: Cathy B on September 25, 2005, 09:51:23 PM
HI Glen,

Thanks Ivo for reviving this thread. I didn't see it the first time it came around. It's good to know where the wannabes come from!

All the original Tinypics have disappeared for me. Would there be any chance that you could re-post those in the album Anne has made available for pictures?

Cheers!

Cathy
Title: A selection of Oberglas vases - some iridised, some not
Post by: David555 on September 26, 2005, 12:38:27 AM
Hi Glen

Davidson Luna range c.1971 would be your moulded squared off vase with wavy textured surface - at the W/F board we have been attributing these for a while, there are ones with labels and everything if you go to section 'Mistaken Identites' - there is a picture on that board of about 30 all different vivid colours and many two tone colour combinations - as they say on that board they can look stunning at a low cost

I like to stay calm in the face of arrogance, beauty is in the eye of the beholder and this board doesn't bow to the opinion of just one person - the Luna glass range is becoming ever more polular, let’s remember that expensive items like my Riihimaen Pironki vase was moulded and not exactly finished fantastically, you can see the mould lines and everything duhhh!!

As for your other bits - I cannot open some of the pics, but the pink bit is really interesting with the textured sides and that iridized finish almost gilded looking - many items like this were initially formed in a mould then hand finished (like some Riihimaen), this does not seem to have any lines to the sides that a mass produced moulded piece would have and as you say care has been taken to polish the base - is the rim polished as well, I can’t open that picture –

I can't open the Marigold pic you say is the Stolze Oberglas company, you could ask them as they are still going http://www.stoelzle.com/en/unternehmen/index.html - I think Peter already mentions this, you could also mention that a certain published glass aficionado thinks they are 'bottom feeders' LOL (this is a joke btw)

The two clear glass vases look like Davidson again – the clear glass vase in the round pictured next to the Davidson Luna, I have seen attributed to Riihimaen on other sites and in some books, not hard to see why it’s very Helena Tynell – I have bit exactly like it but square shape – again so what if it’s mould blown

Nice little collection of well designed items showing you don’t have to be a name or label snob to have affordable collection of  50s – 70s glass


Thanks for showing it

Adam D555 :twisted:  :?  :twisted:
Title: A selection of Oberglas vases - some iridised, some not
Post by: Glen on September 26, 2005, 09:18:44 AM
Adam/David 555, thank you for the 101 on my vases. Actually I began my entire range of queries on the first two vases, about 5 or 6 years ago. These are the marigold iridised bubbly one and the amethyst iridised square one. Photo below.

http://glassgallery.yobunny.org.uk/displayimage.php?pos=-5851

I began with Davidson experts, who said "not Davidson". I then went to Whitefriars collectors - who all said "not Whitefriars". I let it rest for a while, pondering, and in the interim also purchasing a second marigold vase in a smaller size.

http://glassgallery.yobunny.org.uk/displayimage.php?pos=-5852

Then came the enlightenment. A twin to my vase bearing the Oberglas, Austria label (and yes, yes I have written to them - several times - but not received a reply yet - thing is I don't actually have endless hours at my disposal).

So that's the history. The marigold bubbly vases are Oberglas.

The amethyst (pink) one is called "Four Sided Treetrunk". It is also known in green with a light iridescence. I didn't say the base had been polished. It is the rim that has been ground and polished. The base is moulded and not ground in any way. There are two mould seams on diametrically opposite long edges.  My understanding of glass making is that many items were initially "formed in a mould and then hand finished" (as you said).

I believe, based on the many similarities, that the amethyst one is also Oberglas. Here are a couple more photos of this one.

http://glassgallery.yobunny.org.uk/displayimage.php?pos=-5850
http://glassgallery.yobunny.org.uk/displayimage.php?pos=-5849


I don't think the clear glass one with the greek key design is from Riihimaki (see below). The motif has been used by many makers. It has more characteristics in common with the Oberglas items. I will mark the green/yellow one (below) down as Davidson's Luna.

http://glassgallery.yobunny.org.uk/displayimage.php?pos=-5848

Just one quick question - you said:
Quote
I like to stay calm in the face of arrogance, beauty is in the eye of the beholder and this board doesn't bow to the opinion of just one person
I hope you weren't thinking that I was "the face of arrogance"?

Thanks
Glen
Title: A selection of Oberglas vases - some iridised, some not
Post by: paradisetrader on September 26, 2005, 09:50:22 PM
Quote
Davidson Luna range c.1971 would be your moulded squared off vase with wavy textured surface - at the W/F board we have been attributing these for a while, there are ones with labels and everything if you go to section 'Mistaken Identites'

Adam I'm sure Chris Stewart  of http://www.davidson-glass.com will be interested to see the labeled Davidson piece(s). I have had a look there and can't tell which are labelled could you point us to it (them ?).

Mod: see http://www.cloudglass.com/Gallerypostwar.htm

A quick look through www.whitefriars.com 'Mistaken Identites' section   throws up quite a few which are still mistaken: Mdina which isn't, the same vase attributed to Davidson and Oberglas, Humppila attributed to Timo Sarpaneva etc. Those attributions have come from posters opinions so the mistakes are understandable and I believe I read that the problem has been recognised on the Whitefriars board but understandably their focus is Whitefriars.
Title: A selection of Oberglas vases - some iridised, some not
Post by: David555 on September 26, 2005, 11:48:42 PM
Hi Glen

I think the vases you have re-posted are really lovely - they may be Oberglas or not, I would love to see a label - in fact I am going to email a guy at the factory soon - is it OK if I use your pics - can't promise anything, but it's a nice little project?

After seeing the pink and marigold bubbly vase I am a bit more inclined to place the clear textured piece with Greek key decoration with the same manufacturer

It is interesting that the rims are finished off by hand and I think we agree these three bits are mould blown, hand finished

LOL - Glen I see your posts, you are never arrogant - that paragraph was a wee joke/stab at the poster who called your items bottom feeders or their attribution to Oberglas

Your two oblong clear vases I am now not so sure of and the wavy textured vase I have my doubts is by Davidson - Luna range was made to celebrate the moon landing and the texturing is much tighter, if at all had a foil label with 'Hand Made Crystal' - sometimes the importer name was added - I see in your original thread you attribute to Oberglas, I looked at the thread and can't see an absolute conclusion

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Peter I have asked the guys at The Davidson site about modern Davidson glass before and they are limited and their main interest is Cloud glass & 1930s

However

The Davidson site does have one page with pieces of Luna http://www.cloudglass.com/Gallerypostwar.htm - the oblong vases have a tighter texture and are not as wavey, the shape, base and rim are similar but I now see the difference in the surface, when I think it is that surface I have seen labelled rather than the wavey one Glen has and on the w/f board, that just can't be seen as a luna surface to me, more like waves at sea - there is one on that page with a 'Brama' label, red and gold with the Davidson Lion

I do agree that W/F board 'not/is' and 'mistaken identities' is a joke (sorry to fellow members) they have attributed items of mine to Monart when they are clearly not - I don't like the way they stick a big red opinion/attribution on the item

The Luna range and the wavey vases (not sure they are Oberglas) and the Jones & co vases are very similar, thing is dealers peel the labels off to try and sell as W/F bark vases

Can you or Ivo try and get me a piece like Glen's supposed Oberglas pieces with a label - do they actually say 'Oberglas Bottom Feeder' on them

 : Wink: wink: wink:

Adam D555 :twisted:  :twisted:
Title: A selection of Oberglas vases - some iridised, some not
Post by: Glen on September 27, 2005, 07:09:10 AM
Adam-David, my "Cascades" vases don't have labels, more's the pity. However, I have seen examples of the vases with labels. The most recent one that I saw and handled belonged to a Carnival collector friend of mine. His mother had actually found the vase while on holiday in Austria.  I can 100% verify that the "Cascades" vases have been found with Oberglas labels.

Yes, you can show our photos to Oberglas - hope it helps.

Re. the greek key style clear glass vase, I feel it is almost certainly the same maker on account of the base. The moulded pattern on the flat base is a most unusual characteristic - and the amethyst vase ("Four Sided Treetrunk") and the marigold "Cascades" vases all share this interesting feature. These are the ones that I feel fairly confident about attributing to Oberglas. I am unsure of any others.

Glen
Title: A selection of Oberglas vases - some iridised, some not
Post by: Ivo on September 27, 2005, 07:47:26 AM
Quote from: "Glen"

Re. the greek key style clear glass vase, I feel it is almost certainly the same maker on account of the base. The moulded pattern on the flat base is a most unusual characteristic - and the amethyst vase ("Four Sided Treetrunk") and the marigold "Cascades" vases all share this interesting feature. These are the ones that I feel fairly confident about attributing to Oberglas. I am unsure of any others.
Glen


I have two ashtrays in the same greek key design that I know for certain are by Oberglas - I 've seen them before with labels. Then underside consists (from memory) of concentric circles. Sorry, no photo - cannot find them anywhere right now.
Title: A selection of Oberglas vases - some iridised, some not
Post by: Ivo on September 29, 2005, 06:50:21 AM
Found it!
http://tinypic.com/e5i7i9.jpg

Moderator:  Photo uploaded to GlassGallery:
http://glassgallery.yobunny.org.uk/displayimage.php?pos=-5853
Title: A selection of Oberglas vases - some iridised, some not
Post by: Frank on August 14, 2006, 01:56:25 PM
Picture renewals? Please edit original posts rather than tack them on the end.. thanks.