Topic: Scandinavian Kraka type Vase I.D. Maker please....

[msiscoe]

Hello, can anyone help ID the maker of this vase? It appears Scandinavian, apparently unsigned:

[flying free]

Is this perhaps Harrtil Merletto?
m

[ahremck]

Yes, Harrach Harrtil glass using Merletto method.  See attached photos for the 4 bits I have.  As you will note the wove glass meshh has the same pattern in each.

Ross

[msiscoe]

Hello, and thank you for the information. It seems there is confusion as to whether this is Scandinavian, which I thought at first, or Czech, since there are websites that have these attributed to one or the other.

[ahremck]

The difference lies in the method of making. 

Harrtil glass contains a pre-made mesh which is coated in glass (of various colours) and shaped to a form. 

This description of the Kraka process comes from Alistair Duncan's - Orrefors Glass on pages 226-7.
"The Kraka process uses a wire mesh placed over the blank that is then etched to produce a net-like pattern which, when sheaved in the outer layer, traps tiny air bubbles."

You will note that your item does not have trapped air bubbles in the mesh so it is not Kraka.

Ross

[langhaugh]

Just adding my vote to the correct id by Ross.  I've not seen Harrtil described as Kraka before, but it wsa confused with merletto by Seguso for some time.  Here's the same design in my collection, although the mouth has been repaired.  The other 17 pieces I have can be seen at https://picasaweb.google.com/lasilove/CzechoslovakiaHarrachovInclHarrtil


David

[Lustrousstone]

The fabric used is actually glass fibre (or perhaps asbestos) and made on a lace- or knitting-type machine. It is not woven. The colour is not applied to the fabric because it is smeared over the holes. It looks like it's applied as a separate layer once the fabric is round the gather.

[msiscoe]

Thank you all for your information. This seems like a very expensive, and time consuming process, most modern glass companies aren't financially able to create such works of art.

[Lustrousstone]

Not really, the fabric wasn't made specially. It was commercially available; using it in glass objects seemed like a good design idea.