thanks to both of you - and I much prefer the more vintage 60's - 70's description. However, my omission, and I shud have said that the base does in fact have a reasonable amount of wear. I do occassionally see Czechoslovakian pieces - often in purple or amber and with the multiple gold banding, but they are usually decanter type pieces, and often come with shot glasses. This piece is the first large 'waisted' vase that I have seen in my couple of years collecting. Maybe the picture made the piece look too good, and appear more recent than it really is. Cheers Paul s.