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Glass Discussion & Research. NO IDENTIFICATION REQUESTS here please. => Bohemia, Czechoslovakia, Czech Republic, Austria => Topic started by: david31162 on December 16, 2007, 01:41:57 PM

Title: Signed pressed glass zebra - ID = Vally Wieselthier Designer Austria / New York
Post by: david31162 on December 16, 2007, 01:41:57 PM
Not normally my kind of glass this but it was interesting and so cheap.....
It appears to be signed LW or VW or possibly the zebra is 'dropping' right angles. Thas anyone seen these before?
It came from the clearance of an estate where many items we just stopped from being tippped.
Any info welcome. The base is polished but plain- no marks other than wear. Thanks David.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v210/david-dj/IMG_2157.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v210/david-dj/IMG_2159.jpg)
Title: Re: Signed pressed glass zebra
Post by: Frank on December 16, 2007, 02:45:39 PM
How and where is it marked? Picture?
Title: Re: Signed pressed glass zebra
Post by: Andy on December 16, 2007, 03:46:29 PM
Unusual and attractive.
Frank, i can see the initials vw bottom picture, on side, behind hind leg,
Cheers Andy
Title: Re: Signed pressed glass zebra
Post by: Frank on December 16, 2007, 04:40:14 PM
Vally Wieselthier. Designer. Austria until 1929 New York 1930's and this mark is from that period if it is.

I would like some pictures of this one for the Glass Zoo, on a white/light background, as they come from the camera please. :)
Title: Re: Signed pressed glass zebra
Post by: david31162 on December 16, 2007, 05:06:33 PM
Thanks Frank and Andy. Well spotted Frank, sorry about the quality of photos- I rushed to get them on before I going Christmas shopping. I've seen examples of her work before but these were ceramics.
There is a better picture on this link.
http://www.papilio.cz/en/archiv.php?aukce=a20&pol=5788&PHPSESSID=58d48ee50cb3adb96d596b533fb5732d
Ill get some better photos to soon.
David
Title: Re: Signed pressed glass zebra
Post by: Frank on December 16, 2007, 05:41:28 PM
Rechecking, the auction description seems correct, I misread Hartmann, although he gives it as Henry G Schlovogt not Kurt.

Title: Re: Signed pressed glass zebra
Post by: david31162 on December 17, 2007, 12:45:44 AM
It seems this is quite a find! Thanks again for the ID Frank- Cant believe I didnt know about it as I'm a keen Wiener Werkstatte fan.
I got loads of hits, pictures, gallery and auction results ,even 2 in the sculptures section on Artprice.com. What a range of prices to be found 66Euro(sold) to 2000 Dollars(not sold)!!! one curently on Ebay buy it now for 450 dollars.
I wonder if any are copies? - The zebra is often referred to as Ingrid glass- Look at this link and the pieces they are offering!   http://www.ciocollection.com/about_us.html 
A Vally Wieselthier piece amongs them.
David
Title: Re: Signed pressed glass zebra
Post by: Sklounion on December 17, 2007, 09:22:48 AM
Hi,
David asks:
Quote
I wonder if any are copies?

This is currently Ornela Desna's pattern number 27889 00 165.

A very high proportion of these will be not original.
By that I mean, they will be from the original moulds, but not produced by Schlevogt per se.
This particular item is still currently in production, and has been, throughout most of the period since WWII.
The zebra is still being carried in the Ornela-Desna "Classics" catalogue. This is probably why you will find such a great variety of prices.
An original, labelled, Schlevogt-produced item, may reasonably be expected to command rather more than a Jablonecke Sklo, or Ornela Desna produced item.
Regards,
Marcus
Title: Re: Signed pressed glass zebra
Post by: David E on December 17, 2007, 11:13:29 AM
Bit late, but I clipped and corrected the signature
Title: Re: Signed pressed glass zebra
Post by: david31162 on December 17, 2007, 08:01:30 PM
Hi Marcus,
Thanks for the new information. Ive been able to trace the modern Desna pieces. At least I know mine is not one of the most modern, all of these are signed on the base. As far as the prices go-no doubt some have stickers, however, none of the most expensive ones are claiming this. I wonder if there is any other way of telling. Colour of glass -,wear/definition- Does wear cause loss of definition on the mould over time ? I imagine only seeing pieces side by side would show up any possible subtle differences.
David.
Title: Re: Signed pressed glass zebra
Post by: Frank on December 17, 2007, 08:20:12 PM
Personally, I would be happy with one made last week if it was the same mould. Of course if the signature moved then the mould has to have been remade or at least altered,
Title: Re: Signed pressed glass zebra
Post by: Sklounion on December 17, 2007, 09:04:19 PM
Ok,
I'll ask Borek what info he has on this mould,
Marcus
Title: Re: Signed pressed glass zebra
Post by: david31162 on December 17, 2007, 09:43:58 PM
Hi Frank,
Yes, I am  certainly happy with this piece- but after looking through the modern reissues of artdeco glass or in some cases glass from re-conditioned moulds Ive just realised the scale of the reissuing- massive!
I wonder if it knocks the bottom off the vintage/ antique glass trade 'value' of so many pieces. Though in some cases (malachite most notably) the glass seems very different on the catalogue photos.
David
Title: Re: Signed pressed glass zebra
Post by: Frank on December 18, 2007, 11:28:54 AM
It is inevitable that when people collect relatively modern objects that successful designs which can  span lifetimes will produce this dilemma. eBay sellers are happy to use the date the design was registered and not worry if the production was yesterday or 1890.

With the quality of manufacturing it is likely that some items made in the 1930's are indistinguishable from today's production of the same item and that is particularly true of mass produced glass - at least as far as superficial indications are concerned. If all the moulds are made from the same original model then they too will be indistinguishable.

I suppose this is a dilemma for some people but if you take your perspective as collecting design then it becomes irrelevant, after all, if a design is good enough then it will probably be found still being produced today.