Topic: Have I bought a monster or not?

[keith]

Satin outside,gloss interior,think some numbskull has been at it with a brillo pad it looks like there were once two figures,weighs a ton and is 16.5 inches high,no chips,nibbles or cracks,broken pontil mark,any opinions,please be kind

[johnphilip]

A few UK firms did that sort of work one was Richarsons but i cant remember the others they were good old firms , their are also continental ones ,i dont know why but they often have patchy wear .

[keith]

Thanks JP,I did wonder about Richardsons,there are some similar pieces by Davis,Greathead and Green on page 141 of 'British Glass 1800-1914'

[theorb136]

I have had similar vases in the past, white opaline with Greek classical designs, and greek key pattern borders.  I wasn't sure of the origin, the glass was think and quite heavy, like your vase.

[Ivo]

Not a monster but perhaps the bad taste of our ancestors. Definitely British, definitely 19th century. Nice piece!

[Mike M]

Don't rule out Harrach

they made this style too!

[neilh]

There was one quite like this shown at the 1851 Great Exhibition. Have a look about three quarters of the way down this page:

http://sites.google.com/site/molwebbhistory/Home/history/5---the-great-exhibition-of-1851

The illustration appeared on a page about Manchester glass in the 1851 catalogue but I think from reading other parts of the book that it's by Richardsons.

I'm sure you've seen several examples of this style of vase in Hajdamach's book on British Glass... all circa 1850 from multiple factories.

[keith]

Thanks for all the replies,Mike;must admit I had not considered Harrach,I've not seen any pieces by them similar to this,
                                 neilh,interesting link,will have a good look at that,

[flying free]

Keith there is a link here to a piece on Alfredo's site regarding Harrach.

I wouldn't have a clue, but to me they don't look the same as your vase.

http://sites.google.com/site/loetzandglass/harrach--a-glass-mystery-solved

m

[keith]

I agree the glass looks more like Kralik's mother of pearl not plain satin,my piece also has the 'sunset glow' when held up to sunlight,bones I believe!