Topic: Adam Aaronson vase with asticky tale

[mhgcgolfclub]

My wife bought this vase in a charity shop last year , It seems to be very well signed Adam Aaronson Tha Handmade Glass Co 1999, all seemed to be in very good condition , it still had the price label on the side, I thought nothing of just peeling the label off but very sadly it took what I believe to be the gold leaf with  , its been in the garden shed since but though worth asking if it could be fixed

Thanks Roy

[Bernard C]

Roy — Fortunately such charity shop horror stories are comparatively rare.   I thought everyone knew that you should never ever put sticky labels on gilding, unfired enamels, &c.

My own favourite is the mint box of Slim Jims.   I saw them in a charity shop in my own High Street, and asked the lady to keep them for me while I went to get some cash.   When I returned she had thoroughly sealed the box with Sellotape, and written "Reserved for Mr. Cavalot" in ball point pen on the front.   I went spatial.   I don't think I have ever been so angry.   It took me all the rest of the day to get rid of the offences, but it certainly didn't look as good as it did when I first saw it.

Anyway, Roy, my commiserations.

Bernard C.  

[aa]

Hi Roy,

This is actually 100% pure silver leaf and because of the patination over time has acquired a gold tint, which many people, myself included, find appealing. I will post some more notes about this tomorrow.

The silver leaf is fused into the surface of the glass while hot, but while one side is fused to the glass, the other side is effectively open to the elements, which is why it can patinate. The silver is very, very thin - just a few microns. Silver leaf is very soft and unfortunately the adhesive from labels or sellotape will adhere to it and remove it.

Sadly, it is not simple to restore. Cold gilding with silver leaf looks completely different. The heat process changes the state of the silver leaf and allows it to be burnished onto the glass.

A number of glassmakers, including myself, who use silver leaf, are concerned that once work reaches the secondary market, there is a risk of damage from incidents such as these. Thank you very much for raising this issue, Roy, as it may prevent others from befalling similar mishaps.

Many dealers know that they should not put any adhesive labels or tape on silver or gold leaf, but it is important that collectors are also aware of this as well. Obviously not all volunteers in charity shops would be aware of this, which is understandable, though a pity.

For future reference, the best way to remove such adhesive labels or tape is generally to soak it off - a bit like soaking stamps off envelopes.

[Frank]

Out of the shed with it! A little damage does not really spoil it if turned to the back.

[mhgcgolfclub]

Thank you Bernard and Adam , thought it was worth asking and when I look back I should have been a lot more cautious before just peeling the label off, I am quite use to having to wash and soak labels of pressed glass items but only when the lower half of the label is left .

I do not really blame the people in the charity shops as they do a great job and are mostly volunteers and I should have been more careful and in future I will remember not to be in a rush .

Having said that Bernard charity shops do have a bad habit of sticking labels on dust jackets of books or writing prices on the inside which on older books can be annoying but I suppose they have to put it some where.

Back to the vase Adam it still a very nice vase and I agree with Frank the damage is not too bad and turned to the back no real harm done

Thanks again Roy

[Lustrousstone]

The other option, which nobody may agree with, is to distress it even in a controlled fashion more to create a completely new design