Topic: Finely etched glass vase info please?

[chriss]

Hi I have an amazing (to me) small globe or sphere vase with very detailed etching, but not sure of the maker or even it's age as I have seen larger glass with this style of etching described as so many different things including Stevens & Williams, Webb, Venetian, Moser and Victorian? It's got very ornate detail to it detailing 3 different styles/designs of moths, and 2 different styles of flowers on branches. It's not signed and doesn't have a label, it stands just over 2 and 3/4" tall and 3" wide.
Does anyone know anything about it please?
Thanks
Chriss

[Ohio]

Decent work, its a cutting rather than than an etch.

[Paul S.]

only my opinion of course, but I'd prefer to see the decoration described as wheel engraved rather than cut.           I think it's very appealing - particularly like the butterfly............      had assumed butterfly rather than moth in view of the club antenna, but I stand to be corrected.

so sorry I can't offer any information of real use.

[Ohio]

Understood Paul, I believe its simply a matter of personal preference. Personally I do not believe its necessary to include the impement (wheel) used to perform the act just as I believe its not necessary to include copper or stone in the mix. I also do not use acid when I say etch/etched. Just as its a personal opinion what constitutes cutting compared with engraving. To me personally my mindset see this as simply cutting while mentally I see engraving as something far more intricate/detailed, but a discussion on what constitues what would get us nowhere since its usually based on some personal philosophy, however I do completely understand your view.

[Paul S.]

sure Ken  -  I think it's just us Brits. being picky again

Unfortunately, we're no further forward with help for the op.

[Anne]

Something so detailed, you would think it would be signed by the engraver? It's lovely!

[chriss]

Hi I had initially thought it may have been a mixture of etching and cutting as there are different textures like acid etched to me in some areas (like the block detail at the base of the 3 circled flowers with a pyramid of circles above and parts of the insects?) rather than actual cut glass but I only have a handfull of cut/etched glass as I don't normally go for it? With the insects, I had thought they were moths as they are so chunky in the body proportion wise, I never paid much attention to the anatomy of it but could it have been possible that the artist never paid heed to or had knowledge of anatomy of it as it may just have been a pretty picture? There are 3 different types of butterflies/moths and the last one, seen at the back of the glass has a mistake on the bottom portion of the wing which may explain the absence of a signature as it may have been disguarded at that point if it was considered a 2nd? I think it's a beautiful piece regardless, and was hoping that someone may recognise the style of the flowers or insects? I know nothing about it's history as I bought it from a charity shop. Thanks Chriss

[Paul S.]

could be wrong, but looking again at the thickness of this glass I'd suggest it's far too thin to accommodate real cutting i.e. the sort of deep mitres which adorn thicker pieces such as decanters and vases etc., so wheel engraving it is - at least that's the standard description in the U.K., although appreciate this is one of those descriptions that varies depending on your whereabouts on the globe (with apologies to Ken:) )

Talented glass artists can create toned images by wheel engraving, which will show both matt and shiny areas in close proximity on the same piece, whereas it's rare to get anything other than shiny polished decoration on traditional on cut glass.
Typically, acid etching will show, usually, as being more shallow than wheel engraving, and then again real cutting will be deeper than both, and     probably true to say that acid work will show less freehand style than wheel engraving.      Normally, it shouldn't be possible to confuse deep hand cutting with either of the other forms of decoration.

In most artistic media, images are stylized - that's really the whole point of art (might have been Picasso who said - "all art is a lie?) -  if you want reality then buy a camera - and these insects are good examples of stylization  - in other words they almost certainly don't represent particular species, but are a sufficient approximation to convince us they are a butterfly/moth type insect.
Always a little embarrassing to be caught out when trying to be too clever  ...........    technically butterflies do have club tips to their antennae, but then again so do some day flying moths
The same effect is probably applied to flowers, although there may be a little more intended accuracy with images of flora.

I agree, I think it's a great piece - hand blown, hand engraved, and attractive.                Regret can't help remotely with States or Continental Europe glass engravers, and there seem to have been few British workers who have signed their wheel engraved work  -  regarding earlier pieces, both Jack Lloyd and William Fritshe sometimes did - try the Board's search and you'll certainly find info. on Lloyd at least, and examples of his work.

just enjoy the artistry, and buying this you've now learned some more about glass - on the other hand you may now be as confused as the rest of us

[chriss]

Hi Paul, thanks for your info Yes it's very thin glass and the engraving is not made deeply into the glass at all
Thank you for all of the info and pointing the differences out for me, much appreciated
I know it's in the style of older glass, but do you think it may be old then as there are minute particles within the glass and it does ring when tapped with a nail which I was told may indicate it to be early with other glass before on here but I'm not sure if that can be applied to a lot of glass?
Thanks again
Chriss
 

[Lustrousstone]

I would say it was old, perhaps late 19th/early 20th. The ring just indicates it's lead crystal, which may be a clue, but only a clue, to age, depending on what it is.