Topic: Not Whitefriars (?) But Whitefriars-like Knobby Vase - Maybe Scandinavian?

[beaubow]

I bought this vase at an auction a couple years ago, as it struck me as fitting in with my notion of what Whitefriars' Modernists pieces look like.

I came home, did a bit of research, and quickly dissuaded myself of that notion.  For some reason, I got the sense that it might be Scandinavian, possibly Swedish, but I can't remember why.  I stuck it on a shelf and have been meaning to ask about it here for ages.

It's 10" high and 3.75" square at the top.  Bottom is ground and polished flat, no pontil mark or remains of one.  It's cased, yellow and green inside, crystal outside.  Almost certainly lead crystal, not soda glass.

Anyone have any thoughts?  Can the Whitefriars people confirm I'm wrong?

[beaubow]

Bottom pic:

[vidrioguapo]

Definitely not Whitefriars.  It could be Soda glass - much of the Whitefriars textured glass for example is Soda contrary to general opinion that it is lead crystal!  Sorry, don't know anything about your vase though - be patient - someone will know!

[Mosquito]

The colour combination make me think that it's possibly Japanese. However, it's not a shape I've seen before.

[beaubow]

Steven, when you say Japanese, what do you mean?  Studio glass?  Factory production?

I know a little about Sasaki and have seen a decent amount of stuff made in Japan and imported to the US in the 50s and 60s, but otherwise am completely in the dark about glassmaking in Japan.

[langhaugh]

I think a few of us would like to know more about Japanese glass as it would answer a few questions.  Here's a piece I've had a few years that strikes me as similar to your piece. Unfortunately, I don't know where it was made. I bought it from Australia thinking it might be Skrdlovice. Definitely not.  I've been leaning towards Japan recently.  See any similarities or am I way off base?

David

https://picasaweb.google.com/lasilove/Unknown#5496912106257026626

[Mosquito]

Steven, when you say Japanese, what do you mean?  Studio glass?  Factory production?

I'm afraid I know very little about Japanes glass. It would almost certainly be factory production though. The colour combination on the vase, and the use of texture immediately put me in mind of those square or hexagonal textured vases which have been recorded with either a shield shape foil label reading 'Best Art Glass, Foreign', or simply a rectangular paper 'Foreign' label to the base. See here on Wayne's site for examples (scroll down to 5th row onwards) http://www.20thcenturyglass.com/glass_encyclopedia/japanese_glass/japaneseglass_home.htm

Current thinking is that these are Japanese. Certainly cased textured vases (and iridised textured vases) were made in Japan as I've seen a couple with made in Japan labels.

[beaubow]

Thanks, Steven.  I do see the similarity between my vase and the known Japanese examples.  The only differences (and they seem important) are that the bottom of mine is polished flat, rather than having a recessed base, and that the surface texture on mine is much more aggressive than the examples.

But I'm willing to go with "Probably Japanese" barring more information.

[Mosquito]

Yes, I see yours has a different base to the small vases I mentioned. However, there are textured vases with similar two-colour combinations which are sometimes labelled 'S Handcraft'. These too are presently thought to be Japanese and often have flat ground bases:

http://www.glassmessages.com/index.php/topic,40459.0.html

I really think these pieces are quite interesting. Had I the time (& space!) I'd start collecting & researching them...

[beaubow]

Interesting.  I really like this vase (though I bought it planning to sell it), so if it hangs around until it I get a more precise ID, I'm not going to complain.