Topic: Glass Lamp Bases - mid 50's to 60's ???

[bronnyb]

OK - so these are not Murano, but they are heavy - the yellow one has the original sandbag in it.
They stand tall, about 18 inches - (like I can ever find a tape measure when I need one) - measured from elbow to tip of fingers anyway.  They are cased glass (is that the term?) white inside the coloured outside.
I've had the blue one re-wired and a bulb hangs down inside, which makes an awesome display.  The yellow one has never been altered.  I've only ever seen one other like them - identical, but the wiring removed and it was burgundy in colour.
I've tried googling, but truly am at a loss to identify these.
Anybody able to point me in the right direction?

thanks - bronny

[chopin-liszt]

Could we have images of the bases please, Bronny?
How is the rim finished off at the top?
How were the lozenge shapes produced - it the overlay of coloured glass thinner in those parts?
or are there bubbles? or is there a texture to them?

My feelings are possibly Italian, but as you say, not Murano.

Unfortunately, lamps and lampshades can be difficult to track down. For some unknown reason they're even less frequently marked than other types of glass.

On the other hand, they often sell well on purely decorative and practical merits.

Your location on the planet is often a very good starting place for any investigation - where on earth are you? You can put this info in your profile, so nobody need ever ask you again.

[bronnyb]

Thank you for your reply Sue,
Image of the base attached, showing dimples - it's still rather attractive.  Both bases are the same.
The spots appear to be half bubbles, which is how the pattern is made up the sides - they are bubbles within the coloured glass overlay of the white glass inside.  The coloured glass is also thinly lining the white inner section.  There is no texture to the outside of the glass, it's all smooth.

The tops are different, The yellow one has been clearly ground down to fit a cork (still attached) and the metal plate cover, where the blue one is rounded and smooth at the top, like the edge of a vase should be. (neither photo came out clearly)

The hole for the wiring appears to have been made at the time that the glass was molten - not a later drilling.

I'm rather attracted to them, but the colours just do not sit with my decor (well not at this house anyway)  and I need to purge my glass collection.  I've not had any shades that I like to use with them, and I really feel these need to be loved as lamps as well as unique art.

Oh and I'm in Australia - I will fix up my profile - thanks for the tip.

[chopin-liszt]

Well  , you said you are in Oz in your "hello". I forget things.

Given you're closer to Japan than Italy, I'm having a little ponder if they might originate from there.

Your description of the bubbles in the coloured casing - and of the coloured casing on the inside indicates a fairly complex piece.

They're very interesting. I've never seen anything like them.

[bronnyb]

Ah, but Sue, there was a high migration of Italian Immigrants from the 50's, 60's and into the 70's - which would explain the abundance of Italian and European Art Glass which can still be found.

I'll see what happens tomorrow - somebody might be interested in them at the market - (If I remember to load them into the car!)

Of course, I may forget and have to hang onto them for awhile longer....

bronny

[chopin-liszt]

Whatever they are, I reckon they're pretty good things - and highly desirable.
Don't flog them for a pittance!