Topic: ID help please large Czech?? bowl

[Mr. Turnip]

What, like the Chinese vases - very smooth and fine matte finish - as if it's been achieved perhaps by using acid? I don't actually know how they do it...

[Lustrousstone]

Bases are like this are ground; the standard and gloss of the finish depends on the fineness of the wheel and whether polishing and grinding are used. Acid base finishing was generally only used on paperweights and then you can see the remains of the pontil mark. Acid is not used so much today as to etch glass it has to be very, very nasty stuff.

This bowl is large and, consequently, heavy but not disproportionate. It's often large as in very tall that may, note the may, be one indicator of a Chinese vase.  Disproportion is another feature. But as John says you have to look at it as a whole not just at it base or it's size or it's wear.

[chopin-liszt]

I try to keep an eye on what is available for sale in TKMaxx, loads of Chinese glass there, Mr Turnip. (And Polish - some of it very nice indeed. Also German, Murano and others. It's a real hotch-potch, but very educational with the occassional amazing bargain - I've had some lovely Beranek.)
I'm sure it's where stock for a lot of "antique and vintage sales" comes from. The glass coming from China is improving all the time and I've seen stuff with properly polished shiney bases recently.
But if there's a store near you, just pop in and have a good look and a feel - regularly.

Another thing that can help id Chinese glass is a funny greasy sort of feel to it, along with a strange acetic acidy smell. After holding a piece, your hands will stink. It's a poor quality of cullet that was used for a long time, I'm not sure it's so common in brand new pieces, part of the recent improvements.