Topic: Galle iris vase.?

[norman warbreck]

This was found recently in a charity shop high in the mountains...so i am a novice in glass and was just delighted in finding this piece also being aware of copies.The fact that this piece came handed down from a family member...well any story will do when u are selling it i guess...i stood studying it for some time and then took it outside to natural light and thats when the colors exploded and the vase came to life.
The foot piece shows good irregular ware and to me the cutting is super...but i must hand it over to the experts...i have googled to find out how to tell real or fake but they all say the same...when u have seen or owned a real one then the fake is easy...well i have never handled a piece before.
so over to the experts and hope someone will be able to advise....and i willl not be terribly upset if its a fake as it cost a mere...5Sfr.
Thanks in anticipation
norman

[norman warbreck]

ooops ...forgot to mention height....40cm

[scimiman]

Is there a pic of the signiture?
Mike www.abfabglass.co.uk

[norman warbreck]

sorry about that...was foremost on my mind and then i promptly forgot it...here it is

[norman warbreck]

Signature pic...a lot clearer..

[Mike M]

Hi

I always go thought a simple check list

Pontil to base looks good -good sign
Don't recognise shape -not too worrying
Image - very similar to others I've seen
Colourway standard -with firepolish finish
Signature -positionning is very good
Signature size looks a little large -but that might be in proportion -its harder to tell with large vase

overall a bit uncommercial but nothing rings alarm bells

Its not really possible to tell from pictures -but I'd say the results of my check list means its quite promising -perhaps time to put it physically in the hands of an expert -say a good auction house expert -for a valuation

hope this helps

Mike

PS WELL DONE!!!!

[norman warbreck]

hi Mike,
i did google a good number of sites handling galle and there was one that showed signatures but none to match the one shown on my vase...in style.
shape i have looked through over twenty 20 catalogues from Quittenbaum,christies,sothebys from 1985 to 1990 and found no similar shape also no shape on the net.
colorway and subject found
So i must thank u so much for all that considered as i really would like to know how to look at these items for the future...i never dreamt of finding one.
I will take it to the main auctioneer in Zurich and at the same time visit a shop that sells loads of romanian copies to compare.
i rather like the check list method u have suggested
Once again the glass board members have helped so much...and a big thank u!!
best
Norman

[Mike M]

Hi

The signature is a varient of the oriental signatures -made to look a bit like a japanese written signature -they vary massively.

What is more important is its very low on the body and on a leaf in the design

I think when you take it to the expert you'll be very pleasantly surprised

I said it was a 'little' uncommerical-that beacuse yours is big but without a lot of colours (only 2 really), collectors tend to like their big bits to be very impressive.

I always use such a check list approach because almost nothing is clear cut

1 negative is usually OK
2 negatives is worrying
3 negatives and I give up

Yours scored a 'possible' one -largeish signature -but as I said that might be a factor of overall size.

Galle signed pieces like an artist  (small, obscure, often hidden, usually lower third on body)

fakes are signed like designer clothes (big, bold, brassy)

But its not an exact science alas

Cheers

Mike

[aa]

5SF? I'll give you 10 and you'll have doubled your money! :rn:

[Max]

5SF? I'll give you 10 and you'll have doubled your money! :rn:

Good try Adam.   

:::fishes 15SF out of her pocket and offers to Norman on the qt:::