Topic: Scandi looking vase-unusual signature - ID = Christian Tortu

[carolglass]

Greetings, just purchased this Scandinavian looking amber vase with a signature of Christian Torline. Three hoops, clear base, 18cm high 8.5cm base. Signature is acid stamped. Any information on origin and who this person/maker is, would be lovely.Seller stated it is a Bello vase from the 70's- cannot find a reference for Bello. Finish is excellent but a b***** to clean!! regards from a hot and sunny New Zealand Carolglass

[Anne]

Sig is of Christian Tortu, a French flower arranging guru: http://www.francemagazine.org/articles/issue67/article79.asp?issue_id=67&article_id=79

[carolglass]

Thanks Anne for the information- any thought on the origin of the vase though; or is it a run of the mill ,ho hum ,mass made kind of item?? regards from a now wet New Zealand  Carol

[Anne]

Hi Carol, these seem to be sold via Bello, http://www.bello.co.nz/bello/collection.html - who seem to be retailers but I don't know if they are makers as well - they aren't listed as such in New Zealand Glass by Angela Bowey (ISBN  0-473-06238-0.) Might be worth contacting them and asking if they can say who made the vases?

[carolglass]

Many thanks Anne-will contact and make enquiries. I had googled but did not take it further. regards from a now HOT New Zealand-sorry about the psycho weather report- :spls:. carol

[Anne]

Let us know what they say Carol.   (Your weather sounds more interesting than ours - it's just COLD here!)

[carolglass]

Well I hav e had a reply=Hi Carol.. The designer is Christian Tortu.. He is from Paris and well known in Europe as a very successful florist and designer of objet.. The vase you bought has a mate as you can see in the photo on our website and you can actually close the two of them together.. Thank you for your interest.. Kind regards.. David Hendry (owner)
So I have a nicely made vaguely scandi looking vase of modern mfg. regards Carol

[Anne]

Ho hum Carol, that didn't add much did it? :24: His own website is closed sadly so tracking him down may be difficult. I suspect asking him directly is going to be the only way to find the maker of these. Just for interest, here's some more of his designs: http://puzzledesigntalk.blogspot.com/2008/01/christian-tortu-vases.html

[Frank]

So well known indeed.  :24: Weather can be charismatic, had 30ºC outside on our sundrenched windowsill today, but never got above 18º in the house.

[Greg.]

Hi Carol,

Noticed your thread earlier, I actually came across one of these Christian Tortu vases recently, slightly different design to yours, however, same signature to the base. I've attached a photo, just out of interest.

Done a little bit of digging, Christian Tortu, certainly does seem to have a rather mixed background! - Apart from his background mentioned above he does have a few links to the glass world. I did notice that he was actually listed on the Daum France France website under the Artist section:

http://www.daum.fr/en-eu/artists-1.htm#/en-eu/artists/christian-tortu

However, his work their does appear to be rather limited. On a slightly lower key, I did also see one range that he designed was produced by LSA following his design. I gather some of work has been relatively popular, from more of a design point of view than an appreciation of this talents within the world of glass. There are a couple of his glass designs on the following link:

http://puzzledesigntalk.blogspot.com/2008/01/christian-tortu-vases.html

Generally speaking i think that his designs are sold mainly in 'high end boutique style' outlets, I have seen a few stores selling his work in New Zealand, Australia and the US.

Hope this helps, pic attached of my vase below!

Regards,
Greg