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Glass Discussion & Research. NO IDENTIFICATION REQUESTS here please. => Far East (excluding China) => Topic started by: David E on January 17, 2007, 10:45:51 PM

Title: Japanese slumped glass manufacturer
Post by: David E on January 17, 2007, 10:45:51 PM
I'm trying to find more information about a Japanese slumped glass maker, who produced a range of glassware similar to Chance. I know some of their output was made for the US giftware company, G.Z. Lefton Co., based in Chicago, Illinois, and these items are invariably marked as such, or have a label. The label often mentions 'Made in Japan'.

This was found on the rim of a plate:
http://glassgallery.yobunny.org.uk/displayimage.php?pos=-4614

One designer may have been Michio Suzuki, but sadly this is also the same name for a prominent mathmetician and the founder of Suzuki Motor Corporation. The equivalent, I assume, of searching for Michael Smith ::) :o
Title: Re: Japanese slumped glass manufacturer
Post by: Sue C on January 18, 2007, 02:46:50 PM
Hi David,
      I think Glen did an article on Lefton glass, so it might help if you give her a nudge on the glass board, also see ebay item 260075779637 for another Lefton label.
Title: Re: Japanese slumped glass/G.Z. Lefton
Post by: David E on January 18, 2007, 03:19:07 PM
Hi Sue,

Thanks for the link - I missed this one! I wasn't aware that Glen had written an article, so I'll mail her - many thanks.
Title: Re: Japanese slumped glass manufacturer
Post by: Frank on January 18, 2007, 03:28:22 PM
Possibility is CAGCO United China and Glass Company

see also Py/Miyao Fun Kitchen Collectibles ISBN 0875886582, not sure if it includes glass or not.
Title: Re: Japanese slumped glass manufacturer
Post by: David E on January 18, 2007, 05:36:25 PM
Thanks Frank.

It would appear CAGCO is a US distribution company, but on the Amazon search I found mention of

Quote
Miyao Company, known today as Miyawo

So I'll track this lot down  :)
Title: Re: Japanese slumped glass manufacturer
Post by: glassaddict on January 18, 2007, 10:56:26 PM
Miyawo information at http://www.newswiretoday.com/news/7299/ - not sure if this is any help.

Also the book that Frank mentions seems to be out of print but there is one listed on ebay item no. 130062592639

Hil  :)
Title: Re: Japanese slumped glass manufacturer
Post by: David E on January 19, 2007, 09:34:13 AM
Thanks Hil, I'll follow this up as well! :)
Title: Re: Japanese slumped glass manufacturer
Post by: Sue C on January 19, 2007, 11:19:31 AM
 Hi David, quite by accident, came across this site, www.sogaglass.co.jp
it may be of interest.
Title: Re: Japanese slumped glass manufacturer
Post by: David E on January 19, 2007, 12:21:45 PM
Most interesting Sue - these Japanese do love Flash-based movies on their web sites, don't they? ;)

Would appear that Soga Glass deal almost exclusively with pressed glass, so I don't know if they ever produced slumped glass products - always a possibility though.

I'm starting to compile a list of Japanese manufacturers now!
Title: Re: Japanese slumped glass manufacturer
Post by: Sue C on January 19, 2007, 12:53:55 PM
 they are quite an old company inaugirated 1907 and registared in 1948, thought they may know of Michio Suzuki? :-\
Title: Re: Japanese slumped glass manufacturer
Post by: David E on January 19, 2007, 01:00:59 PM
Fair point and I'll try asking. Thanks again.
Title: Re: Japanese slumped glass manufacturer
Post by: glassaddict on January 19, 2007, 03:24:02 PM
Found these on ebay - I am wondering if these sellers have any information on Michio Suzuki as they both mention him in their listings.  :)

230080518598 

7417978514
 
Hil
Title: Re: Japanese slumped glass manufacturer
Post by: David E on January 19, 2007, 07:10:29 PM
Coo, well found! :D

The second listing mentions Michio Suzuki on the box, so that's pretty conclusive. However, I doubt if either seller would know much about this and are purely quoting from available data.

What I would like to know is the Japanese maker of the plates, so finding out which companies s/he (do we know it's male?) designed for would probably reveal the answer.

I'll carry on scratching when I have a little more time.
Title: Re: Japanese slumped glass manufacturer
Post by: glassaddict on January 19, 2007, 08:54:06 PM
I have found a few more pieces on ebay.com that have the original boxes with Michio Suzuki and also a Lefton ceramic dish which is backstamped with his name.
I don't want to keep loading your thread with ebay items - but if it is of any use to your hunt, I will gladly do so. I am looking in other places too for the company.  Is it possible he as a Japanese/American? working for Lefton .............. just a thought as his designs appear on their ceramics too.

Hil :)
Title: Re: Japanese slumped glass manufacturer
Post by: glassaddict on January 19, 2007, 09:16:25 PM
Just found this - hope it helps


http://www.buysellmuch.com/detail.php?siteid=17221 (http://www.buysellmuch.com/detail.php?siteid=17221)

Hil   :)
Title: Re: Japanese slumped glass manufacturer
Post by: David E on January 19, 2007, 10:37:01 PM
Woo - thanks Hil 8)

This is more like it - the seller appears to have done research into Lefton, and has a contact with John Lefton, so I've just sent her a mail. Hopefully this will give me an answer!

I've asked about who Michio Suzuki actually worked for. The designs are very Japanese inspired, but that's not really indicative.
Title: Re: Japanese slumped glass manufacturer
Post by: glassaddict on January 20, 2007, 08:42:15 AM
Good Luck!
I also found this - it is an interesting history of Lefton China and was wondering if the glass production was moved in the same way (or for the same reasons) during the 1970's???

http://www.gardenandhearth.com/AntiquesandCollectibles/Lefton-China.htm (http://www.gardenandhearth.com/AntiquesandCollectibles/Lefton-China.htm)

Hil  :)
Title: Re: Japanese slumped glass manufacturer
Post by: David E on January 20, 2007, 10:04:37 AM
It's surprising that there are three books alone, just on Lefton China! :o
Title: Re: Japanese slumped glass manufacturer
Post by: glassaddict on January 20, 2007, 07:43:40 PM
As mentioned before, I did find a piece of Lefton china and the seller says it is backstamped with the designers name (Michio Suzuki) and I am wondering if the hunt for him would actually lead to the glass factories used by Lefton. I am thinking MS seems linked to Lefton as a designer only and his designs were used on both china and glass.
I may be way out but I have included the link to the china that cites MS too.

7411624019
7330493876

Kind regards
Hil  :)
Title: Re: Japanese slumped glass manufacturer
Post by: glassaddict on January 22, 2009, 06:28:47 PM
This one is dated 1987.
Regards Hil
Title: Re: Japanese slumped glass manufacturer
Post by: David E on January 24, 2009, 11:31:35 PM
Sorry Hil - been so pre-occupied with the Broadfield House thread I didn't notice your latest post.

Which item are you referring to?

hmm, two years and two days after the previous post!  :)
Title: Re: Japanese slumped glass manufacturer
Post by: glassaddict on January 25, 2009, 12:01:30 AM
Oh David - I am such a numpty - found this while browsing Ebay and forgot to include the number  :-[ 320260997382. Sorry about that.

Regards Hil
Title: Re: Japanese slumped glass manufacturer
Post by: David E on January 25, 2009, 09:06:52 AM
Not a problem Hil - done it myself in the past! I've asked the seller if they wouldn't mind sending photographs, so when I get round to publishing the addendum to Chance Expressions, hopefully I can tie up this particular link. Still nothing much on Spiegelunion Flabeg though... :huh: