Topic: IS THIS GALLE REAL OR FAKE?

[brunoknowsnothing]

i must say.. the "tip" and "yalle" vases are very easy to spot as fake repros but the vase i have shown in the pics looks like a genuine galle.. some one has told me that it does look like a modern fake.. very upset by this.. if there is a US operation makes these fakes it should be shut down.!

[KevinH]

The USA source of "reproduction Galle" items was a studio worker. not a major company. They were selling via eBay some time ago. The eBay listings were always clearly noted as "reproduction" but there were no additional signatures or marks on the glass. Therefore, as soon as pieces entered the secondary market there was no way to be sure about the provenance.

That maker also produced repros of other well known French art glass, and was openly discussing ideas to make repros of 19th century British cameo glass!

Most of the items I saw used the yellow base colour with quite strong overlay colours for the decorative parts. After a while, the eBay listings stopped and I have no idea what happened after that.

I posted about this on the GMB but it was way back in the days before the Board migrated to the current server. I also sent information via email to somebody with a website discussing fake Galle (etc). Unfortunately I no longer have any details.

[Ohio]

Understood. One studio worker could/would slip through the cracks & there may be a candidate who left a decent sized cameo cutting operation around 2009 or 2010, I forget the exact year. You gave the OP excellent advice that the best way to authenticate Galle (and others) is take it to a known dealer. If the OP returns I might suggest the URL below as thsi dealer is well as an expert on Galle (and other)fakes & even has a blog pertaing to fake Galle.
http://www.chasenantiques.com/
He also has a show schedule where the OP can take his piece or email Chasen for other knowledgable dealer contacts perhaps located closer to the OP as his email is on his website.

Quite frankly the vast majority of U.S. collectors now stay away from this line because the repros have destroyed the market values. I don't touch this stuff anymore.

[Ivo]

As it is now virtually impossible to handle any Galle - either from his personal production or from the atelier after his death I would think Galle is a tainted name. Only experts with knowledge from the time before the market got wasted by the Romanians and the Chinese, so top end dealers and museum curators are able to ascertain the feasibility of any piece. The market is thin, the risks are huge...

[flying free]

I can't help with your id I'm afraid, but I have a request please.
Is it possible to have a very clear picture or two of the base, showing the finish and the pontil mark if there is one.  Your current picture doesn't show any delineation of the rim edge of the base nor a pontil mark, or wear (if any) to the base.
Also, is the whole piece polished on the exterior, including the background and the raised cameo work?
I'm sorry if you have a fake.  And I recognise you may not want to add further pictures but would appreciate it if you could.  I'm curious to see what the detail of the vase looks like please.
Many thanks
m

[keith]

I can only go on the tiny damaged piece I have,late production ( I presume) that is matt with a very shallow pontil mark.Should have had a long neck,the pontil mark is inside the white,badly drawn, circle,

[bat20]

This is probably a stupid question,but can glass be over fired in any part of the process?

[brunoknowsnothing]

i emailed philip chasen and sent him pictures of my vase.. and he wouldnt tell me if it was real or fake unless i paid the $125 appraisal fee... but he did tell me that all he needed was the two pictures i had originally sent to him... sooo im guessing either he is really really good.. or that the vase was a fraud and he could tell from the two pics that i sent... i do not really see a pontil mark on the bottom... is that possible?

[brunoknowsnothing]

oh by the way... the vase is not totally polished.. the background(yellowish) areas are a flat non glossy finish and the rest of the decorations are high gloss..

[Ohio]

I was not aware of the $125 appraisal fee so my apology for sending you there. If he stated all he needed was your two pics...well my opinion is that as not a good sign. I am afraid you will have to find a good glass show or knowledgable art glass dealer near you & have the piece examined in person & most dealers at glass shows are willing to give you their opinion at no cost.