Topic: Mother of Rose Bowl Type Vases

[Ohio]

Could not get over this one I picked up today. Shape reminds me of most rose bowls, but the size of 8 1/2" height & 7 1/2" diameter & 2 3/4 lbs. weight would make it the Mother of all rose bowl vases. Enamel is legit thick, no decals & raw pontil mark. I have no idea even which side of the pond it may have come from. Puts on a light show when blacklit & enameling goes 270 degrees around the diameter. Any ideas where it originated appreciated. Ken

[flying free]

sorry I can't help on id, but it is a gorgeous piece, really pretty.  I immediately thought Japanese (but I'm sure I'll be wrong).  I guess if you can work out the flowers and the bird that might be an indicator - sorry if I'm stating the obvious  :wsh:
m

[rosieposie]

I think the bird is a House Martin if that helps.  I am into birds and animals, so I like this vase.

[flying free]

and isn't one of the flowers honeysuckle? the other maybe a dog rose type thing  :ooh: it just reminded me of cherry blossom actually.
m

[rosieposie]

I think the pink flowers are probably almond blossom....there are no significant leaves on those branches, so not a dog rose (Rosa Canina!!). 
Not sure about the honeysuckle....might be a stylised Chrysanthemum, but that would be wrong for the time of year when the house martins are mating and the spring almond blossom is out.....this is turning into a nature study thread!!

[KevinH]

If the colouring is supposed to be near accurate, then it's not a house martin (Delichon urbicon) as they do not have black on the throat, and the back is all "blueblack", not shades of brown / ochre (or whatever those colours are).

[rosieposie]

You know, I think you are absolutely right KevH,  I think it is a Sand Martin,  not a House Martin, although there could be some artistic licence here and it could be ornithalogus non-scriptus.

[rosieposie]

Did you see this one m, the date might help even though the picture is different.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ANTIQUE-SATIN-GLASS-PAINTED-ROSE-BOWL-MID-LATE-1800S-/220738127053?pt=Antiques_Decorative_Arts&hash=item33650484cd&x=14&y=6

[KevinH]

Sand martin would be closer - if they had clear white at the side of the head, but they don't!

[rosieposie]

As I say, KevH, artistic licence has to be taken into account.......swallow type birds and almond blossom are often a feature on Japanese style paintings, and represent Spring.....trouble is, all this still doesn't tell us who made and painted this lovely rose bowl.