Topic: Old and old-fashioned cut crystal vase

[Anik R]

This large 27cm cut lead crystal vase has been in my family for a long, long time...  It was in my mother's childhood home (Kraków, Poland) and it belonged to her grandmother.  

Is it possible to identify the origins/year?  

Though it's an old-fashioned piece with little appeal today, I really must say it's wonderful.  Unlike my more modern Polish cut lead crystals, this vase gives off such a beautiful and long ring.  It even rings with the touch of a finger which I think is amazing.

Thank you!

[Anik R]

I've received a suggestion that my vase could be by BOHEMIA PODĚBRADY glassworks.  Any thoughts or ideas?

Thank you


P.S. I read in an on-line Czech crystal guide that some pieces may have over a 30% lead content (as opposed to the regular 24% or less)...  considering the sound my vase makes, I believe that is true of mine.

[Paul S.]

sorry you haven't been inundated with replies Anik - it's a great piece, and the all over cutting is quite amazing  -  would look great with an electric light behind it.   Is that a ground and polished clear pontil mark on the base?   The lead content provides for easier cuting I beleive, makes the piece ring well, but most importantly gives the glass that sparkle and brilliance when cut.    However, I am unaware of the benefits of 30% lead content as opposed to the standard 24%  -  maybe it enhances the sparkle even more.

[Anik R]

Hi Paul...  thank you for your interest.

I believe you're right -- lead content (and proper cutting) increases the light refraction properties of the piece.  (Showing off my new word here).  The lead also gives the crystal its beautiful ring.  Unfortunately, my vase is almost half matt which reduces its 'sparkabilty' somewhat.  As for the base:  There is a star cut into a circular shiny 'island'.  The island appears slightly taller than the part around it, but sits flush to the base's rim.  (In other words, the rim tapers/slopes towards the center of the piece.  At the center, there is that island, which is a bit taller...).  Am I making any sense?  :huh:

The vase is very obviously hand-cut as the patterns are 'imperfect' and each slightly different from the next...  this is especially visible towards the bottom of the vase.  Oh, and did I mention the beautiful ring it makes??? 

[Jindra8526]

I have two Bohemia Podebrady catalogues:

http://picasaweb.google.cz/Jindra8526/BOHEMIA1984?authkey=Gv1sRgCOzExPCkh6__jwE#

http://picasaweb.google.cz/Jindra8526/BOHEMIA1983?authkey=Gv1sRgCK2Yr7zA9Ki3hAE#

and one older from Sobotka
http://picasaweb.google.cz/Jindra8526/SOBOTKA?authkey=Gv1sRgCO310J_6mPHAngE#

but the same pattern I have not found. If it is Bohemia, than 70ties or later, but it can be also German glass not Czech.
Take a look to catalogues, you will discover that "Bohemian taste" is a bit differnet and cutting is richer.

Jindrich
www.webareal.cz/ceskoslovenskesklo

[Anik R]

Hello Jindrich 

Before I posted my vase, I did take a look at all your catalogues and did not see this pattern...  But I was still hoping. 

I believe my mother brought this vase to Canada in the mid-60s, so I suppose the 'Bohemia' hope is out.  But I will ask her one more time about this vase.  It could certainly be that I got my stories and pieces mixed up...  I do have quite a bit of old and older crystal given to me by my parents, and each with a different history. 

I will check.

Thank you!

[Jindra8526]

The problem with this Bohemian Crystal is that even today are people able to made so "old looking" cut pieces that to estimate anything is very dangerous.

Bohemia Podebrady made this cut glass very industrialy and semi-authomatic, therefor it looks less attractive.
The value of traditional Bohemian crystal vary strongly. Naturaly in the centre of Prague you can buy overpriced but excellent pieces, at flea market however the same and sometimes better ones has very low value, nobody here needs and wants it.

We all have at home the case with our cut crystal inherited from grandmas, complete sets never used :-)

Jindrich
www.webareal.cz/ceskoslovenskesklo

[Anik R]

Oh my...  now this is horribly embarrassing...  :pb:

I've just finished talking to my mother, and she told me I'm completely confused, but that she loves me anyway...
This vase was given to her in 1994 ( ) by her aunt...  1994 -- not 60s or 50s or 40s or 30s.  Granted, it was used when she was presented with it, however it's nowhere near as 'old' as I thought.

 :24: :24: :24:

The 'old-fashioned-ness' of it messed up the stories in my head.  The 'old' grandma piece I have (according to my mother) is actually a very modern-looking crystal decanter and shot-glasses.  Who would have thought?

 :thud:

I'm such a silly cow.

 

[Anne]

Awwww Anik, don't feel bad! :hug: We all get muddled with stuff at times    and at least you were able to go and check with your Mum  :rah: (and she still loves ya!  :kissy: aren't Mums wonderful?!)  :hiclp:

I think that your vase is gorgeous whenever it was made. I've not seen one like it before.  :sun:

[Anik R]

Thank you, Anne!   :kissy:  I knew I could count on you for sweet, consoling words...


Now, could you possibly take this thread and shove it in a deep, dark hole to make sure no one ever reads it again???  I've got a reputation to up-hold, you know.

 :24: