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Glass Identification - Post here for all ID requests => Glass => Topic started by: mhgcgolfclub on July 12, 2018, 06:53:03 PM

Title: Help ID Opaline Glass Decanter with Applied Enameled Blue Snake
Post by: mhgcgolfclub on July 12, 2018, 06:53:03 PM

Help please to ID this Opaline glass decanter with applied enameled blue snake. I assume its a decanter missing a stopper.

My first thought was most likely French but could also be Bohemian and could date to the 1860's.

Height 8" and weighs 1050gm.
Polished pontil.


Thanks Roy

Title: Re: Help ID Opaline Glass Decanter with Applied Enameled Blue Snake
Post by: flying free on July 17, 2018, 08:25:17 PM

is it possible to take the photos on a white background please?
Is the enamelling actually silver?
Is it crizzled or is that little bubbles in the glass refracting light?

m

Title: Re: Help ID Opaline Glass Decanter with Applied Enameled Blue Snake
Post by: mhgcgolfclub on July 20, 2018, 06:31:24 PM

Thanks m

A couple of pictures taken without flash but not in very god light, I think the pictures with flash make the enamele look more silver. Difficult to decide exact colour but would say dark gold / brown.

The painted decoration is the same colour as the painted snake.

The decanter is not crizzled.

Thanks Roy

Title: Re: Help ID Opaline Glass Decanter with Applied Enameled Blue Snake
Post by: flying free on July 20, 2018, 07:05:09 PM

Thanks :)

The design of the enamelling reminds of of Bohemian glass.  This scroll and rococo type decoration appears on lots of bechers I think.
The design on the snake I haven't been able to find though, I mean the design shape of the 'scales'.   So far most seem to be gilded and are slightly different shape of scales.
Also most of those I've seen have indented eyes on the snake so far.  Yours are enamelled on.
Lovely piece :)  Will be interesting to find out more about it.
Also with  the body /lower neck cut into shape as well. A bit different.

Could the 'enamelling' be pewter? I think Harrach used pewter decoration, so it could be pewter perhaps giving it the strange colour effect.

m

Title: Re: Help ID Opaline Glass Decanter with Applied Enameled Blue Snake
Post by: mhgcgolfclub on July 23, 2018, 07:37:12 PM

Thanks m

A few more pictures which are a true likeness of the colour. I am not sure if the enamelling is pewter but its possible.

Thanks Roy

Title: Re: Help ID Opaline Glass Decanter with Applied Enameled Blue Snake
Post by: flying free on July 23, 2018, 08:29:53 PM

the enamelling could be what is known as Silbermalerei or silver enamel.
see an example here (not of your roccaille swirls but the effect can be seen as very similar)
https://www.liveauctioneers.com/item/5746387_283-vase-boehmia-alabaster-glass-antique-vintage-old

I though Josephinenhutte might be worth looking up, but their snakes appear to have indented eyes on the ones that were attributed as far as I could see.
That was a cursory glance though so might be worth digging in depth more. 
Maybe it might have had a flat stopper rather than a pointy one or rounded knop type stopper?  Just thinking a flat stopper would fit the shape better - not that that helps id though  ;D  just musing.

Further musings are that the face of the snake for some reason makes me think of Harrach pieces.  I cannot tell you why,simply that it looks friendly and I always think of Harrach for those. 

m

Title: Re: Help ID Opaline Glass Decanter with Applied Enameled Blue Snake
Post by: Lustrousstone on July 24, 2018, 03:52:31 PM

Looks like tarnished silver to me.

Title: Re: Help ID Opaline Glass Decanter with Applied Enameled Blue Snake
Post by: flying free on July 24, 2018, 05:02:47 PM

piece on page 159 of Das Bohmische Glas Band III that has a cobalt blue snake wound around a white decanter and becher.
Schachtenbach c.1854.
The snake does not have indented eyes but instead they are gilded on. 

Title: Re: Help ID Opaline Glass Decanter with Applied Enameled Blue Snake
Post by: mhgcgolfclub on July 28, 2018, 03:58:08 PM

Thank you m

Title: Re: Help ID Opaline Glass Decanter with Applied Enameled Blue Snake
Post by: mhgcgolfclub on July 29, 2018, 08:20:33 AM

Do you think my decanter would be better described as alabaster. I did find a similar white alabaster becher with blue snake .

I also thought that  round flat stopper rather than a pointy one.
https://www.liveauctioneers.com/item/4268347_252-becher-schachtenbach-glass-beaker-snake-vintage

Roy

Title: Re: Help ID Opaline Glass Decanter with Applied Enameled Blue Snake
Post by: flying free on July 29, 2018, 09:38:24 AM

Does it glow with the red glow when held up to the sun or a very bright light?

If it does NOT, then yes alabasterglas could be a good descriptor to search for.

m