Topic: freeform red and blue vase. ID = Japanese, Kamei Glass (probably)

[vanmann]

I seem to have picked up a selection of large pieces this week most of which I have been unable to ID. I have seen a piece like this on eBay attributed to Murano but can't find any confirmation of this. I always worry with eBay listings that someone has about as much knowledge as me and just attributes any heavy coloured glass to Murano. 30 cms tall x 13 cms wide with polished out pontil mark, as always all thoughts appreciated, John

[tonyatl]

I would agree with your suspicion that many unknowledgeable people ascribe heavy colorful pieces to murano because they are selling their book, so to speak - or are just flat out dishonest. I have great doubt that this item is murano, but like you, I am no expert. I am just comparing it with the many pieces of authentic murano I have seen.

[chopin-liszt]

This is really confusing!
It looks (to my very inexperienced eye about these sorts of things) to me as if Paul Kedelv (Flygsfors) was having a holiday in a Chinese glassworks very recently.

But the age-related wear is inconsistent with a modern Chinese piece with a fully polished pontil mark, these are a very recent phenomenon from China, it's  just the last year or so that I've seen any fully polished marks.

So could it be just a very highly colourful bit of Flygsfors?
You need somebody who knows more than I do to help.

[tonyatl]

your comment confirm my unstated suspicion that it was Chinese. I would go with recent Chinese too.

[chopin-liszt]

Not with that age-related wear (unless it's been faked) the properly polished pontil mark would make it very, very recent if it was Chinese.

I go to TKMaxx fairly regularly to see what's coming out from the far east, how the techniques are improving and what to look out for being passed off as "Murano". Properly polished pontil scars have only really been produced in the last year or two.

But it LOOKS just like contemporary Chinese as far as the body is concerned - and the very bright splodgy colours.

[glassobsessed]

Japan I think, possibly Kamei.

Here is one thread: http://www.glassmessages.com/index.php/topic,44439.0.html

John

[chopin-liszt]

John to the rescue, thanks!
Here's a link from that thread, showing pieces like yours, vanmann.

http://antique-rasisa.com/SHOP/NW0273.html

That at least explains the non-Flygsfors sort of bulging-out and upwards part from the base. It's bulginesss worried me for PK.

[vanmann]

Thanks everyone for comments, not a total surprise.

[glassobsessed]

They are invariably described by sellers as 'Murano', presumably because it is perceived that there is little cachet in Japanese glass. These pieces are well made and often to a higher quality than many wares from Murano, they are usually bold and cheerful.