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Glass Discussion & Research. NO IDENTIFICATION REQUESTS here please. => British & Irish Glass => Topic started by: flying free on January 30, 2011, 08:46:30 PM

Title: Isle of Wight pink azurene cylinder vase
Post by: flying free on January 30, 2011, 08:46:30 PM
I've just read Sue's comment on another thread about early IOW pieces and thought I'd post this.
According to Mark Hill's book the flame pontil mark was being phased out making way for 'flat polished bases and labels from 1978, particulary on Azurene pieces'.  Pink Azurene was launched according to the book c 1979.  Therefore I think this must be one of the earlier pieces of Pink Azurene based on the facts that it has a flame pontil mark and also the triangular black label.  It also has a 'flaw' on the rim, which happened when it was made.  The rim is clearly out of shape and has a definite dip in it, and inside the little dip, if you look under a magnifying glass,  is a blob of silver.  It's not damage done after it left the studio and is not a burst bubble or anything like that.  I've been slightly bemused (not that I am criticising at all!) that this piece would still be fully marked and labelled and I guess, sold as a first.  But once I looked that up, I presume if it was one of the earliest pink azurenes, perhaps it would have still been a bit experimental and therefore this rim dip would not have been an issue?  
m
Title: Re: Isle of Wight pink azurene cylinder vase
Post by: glassobsessed on January 30, 2011, 10:48:22 PM
As always it's not that simple (the book does not cover everything made in detail), the flame mark was used into the 80s for some items. I also have a vague recollection that as late as 1984 a few items had a flame mark impressed (they might have been tortoiseshell). Email Ron Wheeler at Artius Glass http://www.artiusglass.co.uk/ (email at bottom of page) for more definitive info on your vase and the use of the flame mark. Ron may not have completely comprehensive records of every variation but his info is probably as good as it gets. It may be that the Studio did not keep data on absolutely everything and as time passes memories fade.....

John

Title: Re: Isle of Wight pink azurene cylinder vase
Post by: chopin-liszt on February 01, 2011, 04:05:11 PM
By this time there would also have been a lot more "junior" glassmakers, students/apprentices working there. It could well have been made by one of them, hence the non-perfection of manufacturing.
All hand-made individual pieces are prone to the odd flaw! Clearly, nobody thought the odd bit on yours was important enough to discard it - or perhaps it might have beeen sold as a second, or from the "glassmakers' shelves" a part of the IoWSG shop where makers can exhibit and sell their own work.
Title: Re: Isle of Wight pink azurene cylinder vase
Post by: flying free on February 01, 2011, 08:54:45 PM
John and Sue thanks.  As I said, I wasn't criticising it at all -  I have new studio glass pieces that have bubbles etc.
I was just wondering aloud about whether this would have been an earlier piece perhaps.
m
Title: Re: Isle of Wight pink azurene cylinder vase
Post by: glassobsessed on February 01, 2011, 10:24:04 PM
Given that pink azurene was introduced in 1979 and in production until 1994 (and reintroduced later) then yours will be earlier in date than most. The flame mark dates it to the first few years of production but I don't know how to narrow it down further than that.

John
Title: Re: Isle of Wight pink azurene cylinder vase
Post by: flying free on February 01, 2011, 11:38:36 PM
thanks  :)