Topic: Unusual marbled splatter coated glass goblet

[jonchellycain]

Hi all
this is a very unusual looking goblet at first glance it doesnt look like glass but it definitly IS glass, then i thought it was painted on but again it is NOT painted.
Its made from blue glass then the outer is a marbled platter type glass coating the outside.
The colours are quite odd too, there is a blue green colour a bronze brown green colour and a dirty cream colour. You can feel anything, feels the same as the interior so no bumps grooves or lines between the colours. The inside is just blue
I cant find any markings on it at all.
There is a bit of wear on the very outer rim where it makes contact, so i dont think its brand new.
any ideas at all on this one as i dont have a clue.
17.5cm tall, 9cm across the rim, 7cm across the foot
many thanks michelle
https://picasaweb.google.com/112538457954992188877/CurrentlyUnknown#5575861147180671282 (3 pictures)
http://i77.servimg.com/u/f77/14/37/17/66/100_8333.jpg

[Ivo]

I have a pressed dish with identical finish which I am assuming is silver nitrate used by Tadeusz Wresniak. It will be impossible to research as this finish was never commercialised - if the client ordered it it could be made.  The little candle stick shows the effect on transparent glass - on coloured or opaque glass the effect ranges from blue to burgundy to yellow. Time of manufacture circa 1980 to circa 2005.

[chopin-liszt]

I love this stuff!
I have a goblet the same as yours, Michelle - with it's plastic "HORTENSJA Poland" label still on.
I had a browny yellowy bit, but gave it to a friend who broke their bit.
There is a huge charger with those applied hot glass "curly" feet, and a couple of other bits described as a "set of antique... dah dee dah... " with a huge price tag in my local antiquey centre.

It IS around, in greater quantities than I would have thought, if it was made to order only.
Maybe loads of folk ordered it?
It IS gorgeous.

[Anik R]

I'm amazed that Tadeusz Wrześniak pieces are not uncommon in other areas of the world...  Here in Poland, I've only seen this type of glass once.  It was an absolutely beautiful amber pitcher and complete drinking glass set, not identified by the seller on Allegro as being Wrześniak or even Polish.  I missed the end of the auction, and was upset to see it went for only  70 PLN.  :thud:   I was ready to pay a bit more for it.

Similar pieces are still being made...  see here, rows 6 and 7:  http://www.antoni.isf.pl/kolorszklo_strona.php

 

[chopin-liszt]

There are a lot of Polish people here in Scotland - not just the recent influx, but a large number of Poles stayed here after WW2. I've got one in my family - in my parent's generation.
This glass is very distinctive - I can't see it getting past any glass person's eagle eye!

[Anik R]

Hi Sue, I know there are a lot of Polish people in Scotland (and England, and Ireland, and Germany, etc...) -- I'm just surprised that these pieces are not 'common' here.  I've never seen one at the antiques market, and as I've written earlier, in the past year, I've only seen one Wrześniak piece on Allegro.  They just don't seem to be around in Poland.

[chopin-liszt]

Maybe people like them so much they hang onto them - or perhaps, because they're quite recent, folk don't think to sell them?
I don't know, Anik. I wouldn't say they're common, just that I have seen them, I've discussed them with folk, and when a friend broke his lovely ambery bowl - he was so upset, I gave him my beaker shaped amber coloured vase when I got my blue goblet.
I think the seller of the charger and (maybe 2 candlesticks?? I really can't remember when they were) in my local centre wants about £140 for the three bits. A bit on the steep side for me!

[Anik R]

I'm inclined to believe Ivo is completely right -- these pieces, with this finish, were not commercialized.  In the 80s, Poles had money, but the shops were empty.  People waited in long queues, not knowing what they were waiting for, and purchased whatever product was on offer, needed or not.  Everyone had, more or less, exactly the same things in their homes, including the same glass and other trinkets.  Only people with connections, or US dollars which could be spent in 'Pewex', had better wares.  These Wrześniak pieces were simply unavailable to the Polish masses.

At least, that's how I see it. :usd:

[jonchellycain]

Many thanks everyone. Its a very unusual looking design, and great to get an answer
I have been doing a little research and found a few interesting articles on Huta Skla, Tadeusz Wresniak, Hortensja

http://www.pressglas-korrespondenz.de/aktuelles/pdf/pk-2007-1w-thistle-hortensja-carnival.pdf
http://www.jstor.org/pss/4379934

[chopin-liszt]

I never managed to find any recent info. - not relating to this pattern/design.
I think that the effect on the surface is produced with the use of silver salts.