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Glass Discussion & Research. NO IDENTIFICATION REQUESTS here please. => British & Irish Glass => Topic started by: Bernard C on September 12, 2011, 09:13:56 AM

Title: Caithness 2003 Ebony? vase
Post by: Bernard C on September 12, 2011, 09:13:56 AM

(http://glassgallery.yobunny.org.uk/albums/userpics/10318/normal_DSCF1245.jpg) (http://glassgallery.yobunny.org.uk/albums/userpics/10318/DSCF1245.jpg)     (http://glassgallery.yobunny.org.uk/albums/userpics/10318/normal_DSCF1247.jpg) (http://glassgallery.yobunny.org.uk/albums/userpics/10318/DSCF1247.jpg)

(http://glassgallery.yobunny.org.uk/albums/userpics/10318/normal_DSCF1249.jpg) (http://glassgallery.yobunny.org.uk/albums/userpics/10318/DSCF1249.jpg)     (http://glassgallery.yobunny.org.uk/albums/userpics/10318/normal_DSCF1248.jpg) (http://glassgallery.yobunny.org.uk/albums/userpics/10318/DSCF1248.jpg)

H. 6" 15cm, d. 7½" 19cm, w. 3lb 13oz 1729g.

I found this (actually a tall, buff-coloured vase) pictured in Hajdamach II, plate 762 (iii) (using Lesley Jackson's Whitefriars numbering).   The rather vague caption suggests that the vase might be from the Ebony range, in and possibly launched in the Caithness 1997 catalogue, as it's the only Caithness piece illustrated with a black glass content.

Have I got it right?   Is there any more information known, such as dates, designer, pattern number, &c.?

Was Iestyn Davies^* of Blowzone the designer?   I couldn't help noticing the strong similarity to his Virtu (http://www.blowzone.co.uk/bowls-vases-creatures.php) range, and my OH, Janet, independently thought the same.   In Virtu, Iestyn Davies utilizes the opaque white layer to great effect, and its use here produces a variation of colour and character depending on the lighting conditions.   So, for example, here is the vase under flash and daylight conditions:

(http://glassgallery.yobunny.org.uk/albums/userpics/10318/normal_DSCF1242.jpg) (http://glassgallery.yobunny.org.uk/albums/userpics/10318/DSCF1242.jpg)

Finally here are images of the label and dated mark:

(http://glassgallery.yobunny.org.uk/albums/userpics/10318/DSCF1249label.jpg)     (http://glassgallery.yobunny.org.uk/albums/userpics/10318/DSCF1248mark.jpg)

Bernard C.  8)

* — Hajdamach II references both Iestyn Davies and Bill Davies.   If you weren't aware they are one and the same person.

Title: Re: Caithness 2003 Ebony? vase
Post by: Frank on September 12, 2011, 10:06:01 AM

Date is about right, the 'range' was designed by the 'Design Studio' i.e. everyone chipped in. Dark colour was deep purple not pure black. Red introduced 2001. Production outsourced to Poland c2003.

Yours is 6658 Ebony Tulip vase, added to range in 2000. Designed by Jimmy Manson & Gordon Hendry.


All listed on Scotland's Glass, link (http://www.scotlandsglass.co.uk/cms/index.php?page=shop.product_details&flypage=flypage.tpl&product_id=1949&category_id=89&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=6)


additional info here Mark Hill's book

Title: Re: Caithness 2003 Ebony? vase
Post by: chopin-liszt on September 12, 2011, 10:22:45 AM

Something quite similar is still being produced by Dartington  - except it's not nearly as complex, there is no texture on the outside - it's just cased in clear shiney glass. So it's red with black blobs, cased. There are bits for sale in the Caithness factory shop in Crieff.
I like the older textured-surface versions.

Title: Re: Caithness 2003 Ebony? vase
Post by: Bernard C on September 15, 2011, 05:42:47 AM

Frank and Sue — grateful thanks for all the information.   I've since also found the range on replacements.com, who seem to have sourced from original Caithness material.   The buff colour of the vase in Hajdamech II was eventually named "Sand", with an "S" appended to the pattern number, and my red vase was named "Flame" with an "F" appended thus "6658 F".   Just the two colours.

Thanks again,

Bernard C.  8)