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Glass Discussion & Research. NO IDENTIFICATION REQUESTS here please. => Murano & Italy Glass => Topic started by: horochar on April 18, 2008, 10:15:24 PM

Title: Archimede Seguso Alabastro "Crenellated" Vase?
Post by: horochar on April 18, 2008, 10:15:24 PM
I recently acquired this large alabastro or opalino vase with milk white handles and base.  My Archimede Seguso book (Rosa Barovier) doesn't picture it, although it has certain Seguso characteristics -- pink opaline glass, "crenellated" (there's doubtless a better word for this) rim, and milk white accents.  Could anybody help me to establish identity of maker, approximate date of production and name of series to which it belongs, if any?
Thanks,
Charles.

Title: Re: Archimede Seguso Alabastro "Crenellated" Vase?
Post by: svazzo on April 20, 2008, 12:16:49 AM
looks more like a Steuben design

Title: Re: Archimede Seguso Alabastro "Crenellated" Vase?
Post by: horochar on April 20, 2008, 03:37:56 AM
Interesting you'd say.  The dealer I bought it from specializes in vintage Steuben, and bought it as such.  Afterwards, he researched the heck out of it and concluded that it wasn't Steuben.  His attribution to Murano, however, isn't strong -- in talking with him, he seemed to know next to nothing Murano glass.  My alternate theory is that it is much earlier Murano, circa 1930s, based on its having less of a "Modern" look.  However, the piece really doesn't have the wear consistent with that age.  I'd assumed 1950s/1960s when I bought it.

If after a while nobody on this board can help me out, hopefully the post can be "bumped" to general glass questions.

Charles.
Title: Re: Archimede Seguso Alabastro "Crenellated" Vase?
Post by: Ivo on April 20, 2008, 05:16:37 AM
have you considered the possibility that it might not be a big name? The top whispers "Empoli", and so do the Lattimo foot & ears.
Title: Re: Archimede Seguso Alabastro "Crenellated" Vase?
Post by: horochar on April 20, 2008, 01:19:37 PM
It seems to be better quality than Empoli, but I could be wrong.  The vast majority of Empoli I have ever seen has a very "cheap" feel, thin glass and poor execution.  My resources in researching are the net, about 10 years collecting experience and a small library of books on Murano (general reference and few monographs).  I appreciate any answers, clues, hints or even guesses about manufacturer, country of origin and vintage; that's why I posted the pix.

Following Ivo's clue, I found this web page, showing Empoli pieces stylistically similar to mine, especially the scalloped top on the eared one near bottom.  http://www.vmglasshouse.com/empoli.htm (http://www.vmglasshouse.com/empoli.htm)

Thanks again,
Charles.

Title: Re: Archimede Seguso Alabastro "Crenellated" Vase?
Post by: TxSilver on April 20, 2008, 03:25:51 PM
Your glass reminds me of Stevens & Williams/Steuben rosaline vases, but the white of your vase looks more opaque and the rose shade looks darker and sleeker. I know I have seen your vase before, but I can't remember where -- I know people here can related to that. Maybe we should put this on the general glass board if no one here has any other ideas. It is definitely a gorgeous vase. I love the contrasting colors!

Anita
Title: Re: Archimede Seguso Alabastro "Crenellated" Vase?
Post by: shandiane78 on April 23, 2008, 04:44:43 PM
Just my 2 cents - I've seen a couple mainland Italian examples of this style and color combination, and both had swirled stems at the bottom. Not saying this is definitely not Italian, but in my eye it leaves the possibilities open...
Title: Re: Archimede Seguso Alabastro "Crenellated" Vase?
Post by: bidda on April 23, 2008, 11:44:14 PM
Charles, a pitcher and glasses set recently ended on ebay that made me think of your vase. the pitcher has a label which may or may not be helpful in your search. the color doesn't seem to be an exact match but cameras and monitors being what they are i thought it worth a mention anyway. the label is ribbon shaped and looks to say "MADE IN ITALY - VERITABLE OPALINE ITALIENNE" with an "LT" at the center. i don't recognize it but someone else might? item 300216717749

bidda
Title: Re: Archimede Seguso Alabastro "Crenellated" Vase?
Post by: horochar on April 24, 2008, 01:39:33 AM
Good sleuthing!  Without question, it's the same manufacturer and series.  You've obviously found the answer to this riddle (albeit not the answer I was hoping for).   :-[  You win some and lose some.  Funny, though, to think it's not worth a dime!
Title: Re: Archimede Seguso Alabastro "Crenellated" Vase?
Post by: bidda on April 24, 2008, 02:21:36 AM
sorry Charlie  :-[
i knew that the label did not suggest Seguso but i don't know the company it does reflect. do you? anybody?
even a miss can be a win if you learn something  in the process ;)

bidda
Title: Re: Archimede Seguso Alabastro "Crenellated" Vase?
Post by: horochar on April 24, 2008, 02:55:55 AM
Ivo turned out to be correct (as usual).  It's apparently Empoli glass, most likely 1950s.  After Ivo's post, I e-mailed a dealer who specializes in Empoli who believed he'd seen an Empoli piece in a similar style with Opalino and Florentino (or some such designation) in its name.  This confirms it.  The dealer who sold the vase to me as "Murano" seemed to be genuinely ignorant and most likely not a crook.  I blame myself completely.  Fortunately my instincts aren't always bad.  The few "museum quality" pieces in my collection (including a large Archimede Seguso Polveri vase I posted on this board a few months ago) more than make up for mistakes such as this one.  ;)  And although it appears to be completely worthless, it is decorative and well made.
Title: Re: Archimede Seguso Alabastro "Crenellated" Vase?
Post by: bidda on April 24, 2008, 03:28:22 AM
well, they can't all be home runs. some Empoli glass is well made and, indeed, nice to look at. maybe in a decade or so we'll see a surge in the market for glass produced by the Masters of Empoli ;) i've got a huge ruby compote with a dot optic rib pattern that's most likely Empoli but i quite like it though my husband fails to see it's charm *hee hee* (he also hates my "venetian" pulegoso dog). i think your vase is pretty and if you do too then holding on to it for a while won't be a chore :)

bidda