Thanks Chuggy,
The colour didn't come out well in the pic, it is really a deep blood red (quite similar to the lid of a sarsons vinegar bottle!). The base puzzles me too. The venini I have has a ground out pontil but this looks as if it has just been polished. The quality of the finish is on par with (if not better) Than the blue one though!
Hmmmm....................the search coninues!!!
Lou***