Hi,
I'm hoping someone can help with me a rather odd vase I have just bought - I couldn't resist it as it is so weird! I don't have access to my digital camera right now, but will post a pic as soon as I can.
Until then, it's an almost teardrop form, with an asymmetric organic-feel pulled rim a little like Per Lutken's Naebvase, but less regular. The colourless clear glass body is decorated with alternate bands of thick gilt edged with black 'paint', and white 'painted' bands with a similar central thin black band. Looking closely, it looks like this 'paint' was applied as the piece was spinning slowly on something akin to a potter's wheel due to the varying levels of thickness. The unsigned base has a roughly circular concave polished pontil mark.
When I saw it first, I thought it was Czech, due to the gold bands, but was amazed to see it had a blue and silver foil shield-shaped label reading SWARDS GULLASKRUV, with a central motif made up of a goblet with two blowing rods or irons crossed over it, and a star beneath.
I've hunted around for Swards, even on gullaskruv.se, but found nothing. Whilst the form is very 1950s Scandi, the decoration is not - I've never seen such postwar, Modern central European decoration on a Scandi piece.
I'd be most grateful for any information!
All the best,
Mark
www.markhillpublishing.com