Topic: Stelvia 'Fatto a mano' ?

[scavo]

Biggish vase that I think is Stelvia 'Fatto-a-mano'. Looks like base mould for this one http://www.20thcenturyglass.com/glass_encyclopedia/murano_glass/stelvia_glass/stelviaglass_home.htm
6th row down.

There are no stickers. Is there a mark from the mould that can help positive attribution? There are seams that suggest to me that this is mould blown (?). The base glass is 'milky' or is it Opaline/opalina? Looking at the base it reminds me of white Pyrex or JAJ.

I'm also interested how the decoration is applied/incorporated. I don't know if it's glass or enamel ... . I am concerned that if I clean it, I could damage the finish. I think I've seen this called 'sandy' - assume that's just a collector or vendor's term?

[Ivo]

The base colour is standard lattimo, milk glass, and the decoration is an acid stain fired on - the same technique used in israel and in Romania. I think it is safe to wash - but don' t go sscrubbing with a scouring pad.

[scavo]

Thanks Ivo.

[glassobsessed]

The shape looks spot on to the example you linked too.

John

[scavo]

so, I'm now wondering if this item I previously asked for help IDing - that was IDed as Empoli region, maker unknown ... is in fact Stelvia?

I hope in some tiny way this is helping build up a bigger picture of glass from the Empoli region. I have seen an orange vase the same as the blue on minus handles on Fat Lava group on Facebook. The guy photographed it along with his WGP collection. He said he had a mate that also had a similar vase that had a sticker saying it was Empoli. I wish I could find that pic to link to now!

[glassobsessed]

The two in your photo have come from different moulds, the shapes don't quite match and then there is the textured pattern.

John

[scavo]

They are certainly from different moulds. But they are a variation on a theme.

The Fatto-a-mano piece is diamond based. The blue is square based. But they are the same height and proportions in the neck.

[Lustrousstone]

Fatto a mano simply means hand made. Empoli is a place with lots of glass factories. Stelvia is in Empoli. Several of the factories may have had the same or similar basic moulds, so without something much closer with a label, who knows.

[Wayne]

Here's a cased version with a label that reads "Opalina Fiorentina":

http://www.ebay.de/itm/Grosse-Henkel-Vase-Glas-Opalina-Fiorentina-un-1950-60-/250904564390

I've seen similar labels with the same wording on Stelvia pieces, but I guess until we find one of these with a label actually saying "Stelvia", it's hard to be certain.

There's another example in the following thread (click the link in the first post), without handles, pictured next to another vase which has apparently been ID'd as Stelvia and sometimes has the Opalina Fiorentina label:

http://www.glassmessages.com/index.php/topic,31200.0.html

Again, nothing 100% conclusive yet though.