Glass Message Board
Glass Identification - Post here for all ID requests => Glass Animals & Figurines => Topic started by: amzm on March 04, 2004, 10:21:42 PM
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I have a set of 6 dancing nude glasses and a decanter that I believe may be Bimini. The colored part of the glass is a smoke gray. They are 4 inches tall and 2 1/2 inches at their widest. Are these original or might they be repros. They are very lovely and in excellent condition. The decanter is missing its stopper if it had one. Since I am also interested in selling them if someone would have an estimate of their value as originals or if they are repros. I will email a picture to anyone who may be able to help me identify these beauties. Thanks for your help!!!
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Does it look like this one, only in smoke grey?
http://www.aboutglass.com/biminiCD/7.JPG
I have a wine glass like this one, in smoke grey, which I bought as Bimini, and is very lovely. However. both Raymond Berger and I have researched this design, and concluded that it is not Bimini. It could be Lauscha from Germany or it could be Czech from the Zelezny Brod Glassworks.
If anyone has a catalogue picture showing where these were made, we'd be very interested.
There's an article about Bimini glass at http://www.glass.co.nz/bimini.htm
In general, if a figurine has breasts it is most likely not Bimini, because Bimini figurines were very abstract.
We have no idea of the value, but you can see them occasionally on ebay to get some idea.
I hope this is helpful,
Angela
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Thank you for your reply. Apparently they had been referenced in the Collector's Guide to Art Deco by Mary Gaston 1997 and I think they were thought to be American?? But an eBayer had contacted the seller and said that they were Bimini, which as you say they may not be. If they were made in Europe or the US when would they have been made??? Are they still an item from the art deco period??? Or are they modern reproductions of someone's idea of art deco???
Mine are listed on eBay under "Art Deco Dancing Nude Stem Ware." Any help in getting a correct ID on these is greatly appreciated.
Thanks!!!!
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I was told there is a glassworks in Florida which makes Bimini-style items. Can anybody out there tell us any more about this glassworks in Florida?
Best wishes
Angela
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Hi amzm--Funny to run into you here! Small world. I am the one that ended up buying the set in question. I like it a lot, but am interested in finding more information about it. Particularly age, ie is it repro, original or combination of the two. Just some observations:
First, Check out these links that I have found for other sets:
http://www.trocadero.com/115broadway/items/132280/item132280store.html
http://www.cyberattic.com/stores/auntieq/items/205707/item205707cyberattic.html
Both locations credit these to Bimini which is interesting given the other comments in this thread. However, I think I can see some differences in the shapes of the bowls on the glasses. It could be a camera angle, but I would be interested if anyone else sees them too. amzm, Did you notice the difference in the thickness of the glasses vs the decanter? There is also a difference in the "feel" of the glass. The glasses feel slicker (modern?) to me. But since I am not a Bimini collector ( I liked the design of the piece and bought it as decorative) I am not familiar with it's hand-feel. There is also a subtle but distinct difference in the nude figure inside the vase, vs the ones on the stems. More elongated and abstract (particularly in the legs) and seems a bit more reflective of other bimini attributions I have seen. So I am wondering if it's possible the decanter is original and the stems repro. That said, the stems DO look like the pictures in the links posted above.
I am really curious about this set. Any input or opinions, particularly with regard to age and origin, are appreciated!
regards,
Mike
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It remains a tricky subject, especially where the town of Lauscha had (and has) an important and continuous output of lampworked figures and figurines in thousands of variations, including all the popular styles of the 1920s and 30s. ZBS is less likely, their figurines are generally more solid. As for attributions, people will want to believe their items were made by a famous name like Bimini so there are a lot of falsely attributed pieces around.
The other thing worth observing is that Bimini did not make all their production themselves but subcontracted to Venini. For correctly attributed Bimini items this may explain the difference in thickness and finish.
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Ivo,
Thanks for the information. If you had to guess, would you say old, new or other for this piece and what would you look for to figure out which?
Mike
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unfortunately I can only advise you to look out for the genuine article in books and magazines. I feel E-bay is not the most reliable information source. In the end you may have to content yourself with an unconfirmed attribution.
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Thanks Ivo. I agree with the E-bay comment wholeheartedly. I did run accross the item below today. It looks strikingly similar to the figures on the decanter set and has a paper label atttached (not bimini). Does it ring a bell to your (or anyone elses) eye?
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=3714757660
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Note the paper label pictured in one of the photos. I am hoping someone will recognize the maker as it is strikingly similar to the "Bimini" set. The figure in this piece is so similar, I think it might lead to the correct attribution.
Thanks!
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=3714757660
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Hi Mike,
I went to have a look but the pictures were not working because the auction has ended. I'd really like to see the label. Did you keep a copy of it that we could look at?
Best wishes
Angela
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I did!
And I can confirm it is not cursive cyrillic - just oldfashiond illegible.
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Many thanks, Ivo.
Sadly, it doesn't mean thing to me either.
Perhaps someone else knows?
Angela
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It all depends on what those first letters are...
It looks like a G and a K
perhaps Getval Komarov ?sky?
The label also looks to be hanwritten. It was certainly a nice bit of glass in the feel of deco figures but I did not think it was that old.
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I never did figure it out and neither could the gentlman that had it. He pointed out that if I was frustrated looking at the images, then I would be REALLY frustrated with the lable because it was so small. It did seem to be a nice piece though....I thought maybe late forties or fifties. Thanks for trying though!
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Mike,
the name on the label is more than likely Istvan Komaromy. He made glass similar to Bimini.
Sorry I didn't see this in time to help but I only occasionally look on the boards and thought that it would at least let you know for next time.
Samantha
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Samantha,
Could not find Istvan Komaromy on the web :? do you know when and where he was working?
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I think my mystery is now solved!
I believe the printed label on my Bimini style lady could well bear the name Istvan Komaromy. At least I can make out the surname, although it does look more like Komoramy, (the first name to me looked like Fabian :shock: ). Here is the pic again :
http://glassgallery.yobunny.org.uk/displayimage.php?pos=-1876
Does anyone have any info on Komaromy please?
Thanks!
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Possibly, what language, Hungarian?
http://www.fsz.bme.hu/mtsz/mhk/csarnok/k/komaromy.htm
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It is Istvan Komaromy, and the man himself is featured at work in a British Pathe film: "Blow Pipe Art"
http://www.britishpathe.com/product_display.php?Search.x=0&Search.y=0&searchword=Blow+Pipe+Art
Regards,
Marcus
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From Sklo a keramika, issue 4, volume 3, Istvan Komaromy, was a Zelezny Brod-trained glass-worker, from Hungary, who is known to have moved to the UK to work in 1935.
He may have worked for the Jaroslav Klapiste company.
The article mentions also the following UK company which made glass figures at the same time as Pirelli, Glass Developments Ltd.
Regards,
Marcus
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Just seen this update... the net on this style of figurine is clearly widening so and I can add Italy too, I will be adding the Italian style to the Zoo as soon as I can. The UK company is useful info I will see what I have on them asap. The number of companies known to be making lampwork in the Pirelli period is slowly growing too. A much neglected area needing research.
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Hello! - am new to your group as hoping to increase awareness of my fathers' work - Istvan Komaromy, who described himself as a sculptor in glass. He is referred to in your forum as being "Zelezny Brod trained" (25.03.08). But as far as all the family is aware, he only ever worked for himself and was totally self-trained. He started his work as a sideline to university studies as he had to make his own glass scientific instruments for his science course but became intrigued by glass' endless capabilities. Initially, he was sponsored by his professor altho he left his academic studies unfinished. Before the war, he set up a glass unit in Budapest with his sister (still operating today and managed by my cousin with about 25 employees - artisans' craft work rather than of artistic merit). However, he never got involved with it as he was travelling widely showing his work, winning six gold and several silver medals in France, Spain, Italy and Hungary prior to marrying my mother and settling in UK. Although famous for his "dancers" (nude figurines) he also scuplted other classical figures, animals, candleabras, glasses, vases, abstract forms and complicated figure studies. He used over 200 kinds of glass (often manufactured by Pilkington's to his own recipes) and is represented (badly!) at the V& A (a male figure and Hungarian peasants sowing seeds in a field) and also the Museum for Applied Arts in Budapest.
The Telegraph & Times both carried obituaries following his death in 1975 and there was an article in 'Glass Age' August 1975 entitled: Istvan Komaromy, Pioneer of Glass Sculpture". He appeared in 2 BBC programmes and as a member here has indicated, he and his work can still be seen at:
http://www.britishpathe.com/product_display.php?Search.x=0&Search.y=0&searchword=Blow+Pipe+Art.
My intent is to have a retrospective exhibition of his work at some point so he is more widely understood and acknowledged. The family get abit upset that so very often he is confused with Bimini (for female figurines) although the differences seem quite fundamental to us! However, we were also delighted that his work was correctly identified on last years ANtiques Road Show! Best wishes, Chris Burley
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Hello Chris and welcome to the board. Thank you for telling us about your father, we've long wanted to know more about his work. The piece which triggered this topic was such a beautifully graceful female figurine, I'd love to see more pieces of your father's work if that's possible?
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Hi Chris, very pleased to hear from you.
I was merely reporting what I have turned up in my research in Czechoslovakia, now the Czech Republic.
Regards,
Marcus
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Dear Chris,
I thought I would drop you a line as I knew your father, Istvan Komaromy, and loved his glass sculpture. He gave me a beautiful piece of a girl with her arms raised holding a red and white scarf. I would love to be in touch with you and hear more about him as it was a very long time ago that we met in Cornwall. Later I went to his house somewhere in south London, but can't remember exactly where it was and we lost touch.. I think an exhibition of his work would be wonderful. I have a lovely photograph of him that you might like to see, taken in Cornwall..
Angela
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Hi Chris and others,
I am so pleased that we have identified your father as the maker of these lovely pieces. It would be wonderful to see an exhibition of his work. In the meantime, would you be interested in working with me on an article about his work for the Glass Museum? http://www.theglassmuseum.com
I try to include in depth articles about glass topics that have not been given adequate cover elsewhere. I'd love to work with you on this, and maybe other collectors have photographs that we could use.
Best wishes
Angela (Bowey)
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Just following up on this discussion. Chris ( his daughter) and I are now working on an article about Istvan Komaromy which will be followed by a section in my book on London Lampworkers. So if anybody has any further information that we might not have, or pictures of items with his signature, please let us know.
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Message for Ivo
DId you by any chance keep the picture of the glass that went with the Komaromy label? I'd be very interested to see it.
And there is now a short article about Istvan Komaromy on the Glass Encyclopedia at http://www.glassencyclopedia.com/Komaromyglass.html
Many thanks to his daughter, Chris, for all her help with this. She and I are working on a longer text about his work.
Pictures and information about his work will be very much appreciated.
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Hi Ang I'd love to help out out but it wasn't mine.
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It's in GlassGallery already, Angela:
http://glassgallery.yobunny.org.uk/displayimage.php?pos=-1876
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Ah - thank you so much, Anne.
I just bought one myself
- http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=260455788104
and the Glass Encyclopedia article on Komaromy has another -
http://www.glassencyclopedia.com/Komaromyglass.html
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Hi Angela isnt she lovely , Istvans women seem to be more beautiful than the Bimini ones , i was watching the one you bought all week i did PM Chris in case she wanted it ,i couldnt afford it on my pension , i am so glad it went to you because it keeps it in the family circle . jp
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I was reading that Istvan has nephews who still make lampwork glass in Hungary: http://www.juhasz-uvegtechnika.hu/en/rolunkk.html
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Hello everyone, :hi:
I was researching Komaromy after the wonderful day at the Cambridge Glass fair, and was lead to this thread.....look how long ago it was started!!
It makes thoroughly interesting reading and so I thought I would 'ressurect' it for those who are newer to the board, or didn't get to go to the Fair.... :sun:
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An amazing piece on auction here
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/ISTVAN-KOMAROMY-GLASS-SCULPTURE-VASE-WATER-CARRIERS-HUNGARY-HUNGARIAN-NOT-BIMINI-/230893882392?pt=UK_art_Sculpture_GL&hash=item35c2590c18
(live auction - not mine, no idea who the seller is, but it's a huge size and also very beautiful :) )
m
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Oh m, if I won the lottery it would be mine!! I have it on watch with the water set that is also listed....but I have spent so much this year on Komaromy, I must control myself!
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Another detailed view.