Topic: Bottle vase... but who?

[Anne]

I found this tall bottle vase (?) a few days ago and cannot find out anything about who may have made it. Does anyone know who and where and when please? It is 16" (40.5 cm) tall, and graduated from deep to very pale orange, cased clear I think.  This is an area of glass I know nothing about, so any help much appreciated.
Bottle vase: http://yobunny.org.uk/gallery1/displayimage.php?pos=-759
Bottom detail: http://yobunny.org.uk/gallery1/displayimage.php?pos=-761
Base detail: http://yobunny.org.uk/gallery1/displayimage.php?pos=-760

[chuggy]

I bought an identical piece about 15 years ago in an antique shop in Verona and the guy was adamant that it was by Dino Martens, though I could never confirm this, the interesting thing was that about 8 years later a well informed glassie said what a nice piece of Stourbridge it was. Me I've always believed it Murano whether Martens or not.
Paul

[Anne]

Ooohhh Paul, that is interesting, thank you! I was suspecting Murano of some sort, but this area is a total mystery to me.

The annoying thing is, I've seen a picture of one of these bottles somewhere which is why I bought it, it's not really my sort of thing usually, but I figured for the cost of it (£2.50) it was worth taking a gamble. 

[Laura Friedman]

Hi Anne,

It does not look like any Martens item I've seen. I'm not even 100% sure it's Murano glass.  It is lovely, however.

Laura

[chuggy]

My only comment being that I bought an identical piece a few years back in Verona and was told it was a Martens piece, though I've never been able to confirm it as such and a fairly knowledgeable friend did say he thought it was Stourbridge, so I'm really as confused as anyone else.
Paul

[Anne]

Laura, thank you for your comment, much appreciated.

Paul, thanks for clarifying again - I overlooked the Stourbridge part of your earlier reply - sorry!  I always thought of Stourbridge as being frillier and fussier somehow - this is such a sleek modern shape that I felt it couldn't be English...

[paradisetrader]

Hi Anne
I'm honored that you think I have some expertise here in asking me to look but I'm afraid that I must defer to Chuggy on this.

The base does look like the highly polished finish one expects from Murano. If I could have seen it on my recent trip and "weighed" it I probably would have guessed Murano with my eyes closed. I suspect that this is one of those pieces which is much more impressive in vitro rather than in photos - and seems like you have got yourslef a "winner" there !!!

As Chuggy has handled one and bought it in Italy no less I think his evidence and professional opinion is overwhealming !!!

If I transfer to the Murano board - Laura may have an opinion on precise maker.

Chuggy
!!!! Stourbridge !!!!
!!!! A Handbag  !!!!!

[Anne]

Thanks Peter, you know more than I do about modern glass, that's for sure!

I did post on the Murano board as well. I'm in no way doubting Paul (Chuggy) in his earlier posts, but he did say that he had received two differing opinions about this, so, whilst I'm happy with a Murano attribution, the jury might still be out as to who in Murano (if it could ever be pinned down that is!).

Paul said his was sold to him as Dino Martens but I cannot find any other DM that looks anything like this at all. So far it's all third party attributions - and I'm sure Paul would be as keen to know for sure as I am about this. Laura did say she felt not DM either and was not convinced it was even Murano.

As to Stourbridge, that completely confounded me... as I said before, I would never have thought Stourbridge for this one.

As it may end up being sold on at some point I'd like to get it as right as I can do.