Topic: Older English Vase

[Ohio]

I’ve been meaning to post this for awhile & I keep forgetting. I’ve had this vase for close to 15 years. It’s 12 ½ ”, glass is ¼” thick, heavy, rings like a bell when tapped, fire brick red with some black  marbling here & there. It does not resemble Bristol, this is perhaps a bit earlier. Only reason I’m asking is that I sold an item off eBay in 2002 to the British Museum  (it was not glass) & one of their U.S. representatives  picked it up. He spotted this & asked if I was selling it & I declined. He didn’t say much after I declined (a couple of times) but offered that  he was certain it was English & had some age. Obviously it was made during a period where quality control was non-existant…notice the lopsided top. Years ago I did take it to the fine arts department of our local state university & after examination they believed the painting style was consistant with European styles of the 1830’s to 1850’s & the enamel was original (it shows some wear). I’ve kept it simply because it’s different in color & have always been puzzled by the ring as if it has a high flint content. Any opinions are appreciated. Thanks, Ken

[Frank]

I doubt it is English going by shape. Style is Etruscan and that was popular from 1847-1851, see plate 13 p 136 in Hajdamach, British Glass.

[Ohio]

Thanks Frank, unfortunately I do not have that reference so I not certain I understand. Etruscan usually is associated with Italy so is this simply an Italian piece that is not considered Murano type? Ken

[Lustrousstone]

Frank merely means the shape is one associated with Etruscan period vases (c 500 BC) and much copied through the ages, particularly mid 19th century in England and elsewhere. I would hazard a guess at Bohemia, they seemed to delight in unusual colours of glass and beautiful enamelling. Age-wise it could be anything up to 1940, as many of these designs continued for a long time