Topic: Heavy Crystal (?) vase with circle and oval pattern

[astrid]

I don't have the know-how to establish whether a particular piece is hand-cut or pressed, I'm afraid. I'm guessing this would be a German 50s-60s piece - hand labour wasn't as expensive then, and there was a long tradition of cutting this type of (layered) glass by hand in Germany. One reason why almost the entire German glass industry perished in the 80s and 90s was probably because they stuck to techniques that required handwork for too long.

I have no idea whether it would make sense to press a piece first, then put a coloured layer on it and cut away only that layer by hand. It sounds like more work than simply cutting the layer and the shape at the same time.

Astrid

[Helen]

Astrid, mine is exactly the same pattern as yours so I think that solves part of the mystery. I'm still slightly confused (and realising how much I still need to learn) as I've looked, felt, looked again and was still thinking it was a pressed piece. But I suppose if it was hand cut, then that may explain a little why in places, it didn't seem quite perfect.
It's currently displaying the last few blooms from the garden and looking rather splendid...
Kind regards
Helen

[Helen]

In my previous searches, the nearest thing I found in style was this

http://www.ebay.com/itm/VINTAGE-SQUARE-CRYSTAL-AVON-VASE-FOSTORIA-1980-/120597254343#ht_1471wt_1110

It's got the same 'well' inside and the thickness of glass with the 'cut' effect (although the base is different). It seems like this was way off the mark though, given the sticker on yours. The search will continue, with a German slant me thinks.

[Paul S.]

don't know how infallible these comments are, but...............even on good quality 'cut' material it is possible, usually, to detect the faintest of grinding lines which remain, even after polishing.    On largish areas slight undulations on the surface (almost like facets) may sometimes be seen - and where repeat patterns exist, it should be possible to detect a lack of identical size, shape or pattern.      I have heard the comment that much modern cut glass is 'over fire-polished' which may imply that sharpness is lost, thereby perhaps creating confusion with pressed glass.     The bottom of the piece should also provide a clue as to whether one or the other, and pressed glass often exhibits those slight swirl marks, which indicate that the glass did not make perfect contact with the mould.......   "there are a few ripple-like flaws in the circular and oval sections which I suppose wouldn't happen if it was cut".      just some thoughts, which may or may not help