Topic: Buying badly damaged items

[yesvil]

The Mdina vase is post Harris I believe and probably late 1970s/1980s.

Oh well, in the bin with it then...

...Actually just joking. It's early days for me as a collector. I see pictures in a book, I see items on display, I read about them but this is not enough! However, when I own it and am able to prod it, caress it, manhandle it - it, as an item has a whole energy and personality that can not be discovered in any other way. So for me paying a pound to achieve this is money well spent - better examples will come to me in due course.

[Lustrousstone]

I would probably have bought it for £1, even though I've already got one!

[chopin-liszt]

 
Providing you're careful not to injure yourself, damaged things can be used.

I wouldn't risk putting anything into a cracked vase, but in one already badly water damaged there's no harm - the wetness hides the stained glass too.
Choose a use which is compatible with the damage, dried flowers and grasses are lightweight and don't require water, for example.
Arrange whatever you have in the piece to hide the damage!

[Anik R]

The following just goes to show how much all my talk is really worth  :pb:...

Yesterday, I was extremely pleased to buy myself a wonderful R. Schrotter 'bullet' vase in light blue and in perfect condition -- no chips, knicks or even scratches -- and all for only 24 PLN.  I thought I was a hero and very lucky indeed... 

When I got home, I admired my new find in the sunlight, enjoying every bit of the vase until -- GASP, SHOCK, HORROR -- I found a strange 'crack'!  I really don't know if 'crack' is the right word...  there is a horizontal line in the glass which cannot be felt from the outside nor the inside, but can be seen when held up to the light.  (Interestingly, the line is only about 0.5 cm long when you look from the inside, but is magnified when looking from the outside.)

Yes, I felt very disappointed, but that feeling lasted about 5 minutes (OK, maybe 10).  Now the vase is sitting happily right beside my clear bullet vase, every bit as loved.  And I would buy it again, even with the flaw.

 

[Anik R]

I forgot my pictures... 

[Nemmie]

I would say that that flaw has been there since your vase was made Anik, by coincidence I bought a Lens vase yesterday just because I wanted to save it from its dirty state and it was only a £1. When I got it home and cleaned it I was still left with a white residue at the bottom so I got my bottle brush that has a sponge on the end and started to remove this gunk. I was pleased when it started to come off and eventually got the final speck as I did this the bottom of the vase dropped off, I couldn't help laughing at my stupidity. The gunk was glue!

I collect Deco period glass and modernist glass and I don't mind slight chips or fleabites on Deco items but hate to have any damage on the 50s/60s/70s items (apart from manufacturing flaws which don't bother me). Saying that I love Lens vases so I will be keeping my two part example.

[Anik R]

... and eventually got the final speck as I did this the bottom of the vase dropped off, I couldn't help laughing at my stupidity. The gunk was glue!

Oh no!!!   
But I must say that I'm very impressed at your ability to laugh at the situation.  My first and automatic reaction would be to cry.

[kane_u_pain]

For me...it depends on the damage. Water staining I can live with if it is a piece I really like. Minor chips to the rim, base or body yes. Cracks in glass definitely not, unless it is a manufacturing flaw. If you can turn the piece around a not notice the flaw, it is perfect in my opinion  :thup: