Topic: Mould Blown Fir Cone Vase attributed to Verrerie d'Art Lorrain

[Mosquito]

Recently bought this rather nice 1920s-30s vase with a moulded conifer pattern. This example is in a smoky topaz coloured glass and is apparently unmarked. However, a vase in the same design is shown in Cappa's Le Génie Verrier de l'Europe (no. 573, p327) attributed to Verrerie D'Art Lorrain and bearing an enameled (partial?) mark 'Lo'. Some of the attributions in this book have since been shown to be rather shaky, but this one seems reasonable -- certainly the colour and finish look right when comparing to other, marked pieces.

Height is approx. 18.6 cm while the maximum diameter is approximately 15 cm. Please excuse the grime and spots of emulsion paint-- hadn't got around to cleaning it when I took the photos! Anyway, it's an interesting vase and another variation on the pine/ fir cone patterns that were popular at the time.

[Anne Tique]

Correct me if I'm wrong please, but it's just a question I have now I'm reading the attribution from Cappa ....
I thought that the Verrerie d'Art Lorraine signed just with the initials VAL and that the verrerie Lorraine was a different company? ... Or am I getting confused now?

[Mosquito]

'Lorrain' (no e) is generally accepted to be a Daum mark. However, it does get a little confusing when you look further. Ivo mentions 'Lorrain' as the 'Trade name used by Daum for art glass produced at verrerie de Croismare' (in Millers Glass fact file a-z). However he also lists Verrerie d'art de Lorrain in a separate entry as a glassworks founded by Paul Daum to produce cheap cameo glass...

 The name Verreries de Belle-Etoille is also mentioned with dates of c1927-30. Apparently this is the works where D'Avesn was creative director and which produced the 'Lorrain' pieces. Not sure whether this was the same works as Verreries d'Art de Lorrain or not though but it seems plausible...

To add to the confusion there's also a Verreries d'Art de Lorraine (with 'e') listed as a Meisenthal trademark. Regarding the mark 'VAL,' it's often said to refer to Daum but Im not sure if theres any evidence to support this. Cappa also mentions a 'Val et Cie.' as a separate maker.

So, basically, the more I read the more confused I get...   

[Mosquito]

Going back to Cappa, he does show two vases marked 'VAL' as being by Verreries d"Art Lorrain: see no.s 570 & 571, pp. 326-7. It does seem that Verreries d'Art Lorrain and Verreries de Belle Étoile Daum & Co., Croismare were either the same, or closely related, ventures with the 'Lorrain' mark being used for the press-moulded and mould-blown wares and 'VAL' on the acid cameo pieces. 

Some more examples plus explanation here: http://vases-art-deco.over-blog.com/lorrain-nancy.html

And here's another piece marked 'Lorrain' which used to be in my collection. A large moulded, frosted and polished plate:

[Ivo]

And then there is Lorraine Glass Industries in Montréal to confuse matters further.....

[Anne Tique]

I haven't got my books with me as I'm abroad for work at the moment, but I'm glad I'm not the only one who finds it confusing.
 What I understood was that VAL & Cie,  a company who sold glassware, porcelain, bronzes etc had their glasswork commissioned at St Denis (Legras/Pantin) and at Daum, but obviously, as you mentioned, there was a whole lot more going on with the name Lorrain, with or without E.

Thank you both for the explanation, I'll have to read it a few times to sink in but that's just me