Topic: Art Nouveau Iridescent Crackle Vase Silver Frame Stamped Double Headed Eagle MH

[Celtic Echo]

I just inherited from my mother an antique vase. The vase is comprised of both glass and silverplated metal. The glass is a golden mustard yellow color with a light iridescent sheen and a crackle texture. The silverplated framework is clearly Art Nouveau and stamped with a double-headed eagle in a horizontal oval cartouche background. The eagle has a crown above its head and is holding a scepter in one claw and an orb in the other. On either side of the eagle is marked M H. The overall structure including the silver framework is 12.25 inches (31.1 cm) tall and 7.25 inches (18.4 cm) wide. (The height of the glass by itself measures 10.5 inches or 26.7 cm respectively).

I have an idea of where the silversmith may have originated but before I disclose my own thoughts, I would like to hear other people's assessments. I have no idea who the glass maker is or where the glass comes from. I also do not know if the glass and the silverframe come from the same maker or whether the silversmith obtained the glass vase and incorporated it into their design.


Can anyone help with the following questions:
Who is the maker of this vase? (Or who is the maker of the glass vase and who is the maker of the silverplated framework?)
Where did it come from?
What year do you think it would be?
Does anyone know of a good certified appraiser in the Washington DC metropolitan area? (This would include DC, Virginia, Maryland, West Virginia.)
In your personal opinion, what would you value it at? (Please let me know what currency you are using...US Dollars, Pounds, Euro's, etc.)

Thanks to all who can help.

[flying free]

the glass looks as though it might be Kralik.  And the eagle is possibly Austrian.
So the maker may be Austrian and MH.
http://www.silvercollection.it/AUSTRIANHHH.html

There are quite a few with MH on the lists (two lists of h's) but the vase probably dates around 1900 so some will be no use (earlier)

m

[Paul S.]

it's attractive and I'm a big fan of art nouveau -  although regret to say I'm unable to help in any way regarding origin or attribution, but just wanted to comment that we don't discuss values on the GMB.
You may find this surprising, as most States based appraisal and information sites, plus many books such as the Schiffer publications for example, routinely provide some guide to current values.
Those people who collect glass, differ enormously in their subject interest, and whilst Carnival glass for example may interest many, it may do nothing for others - the consequence of which is that personal ideas as to value, will vary equally widely.
There is also the real possibility that if values were provided, and a piece of glass was sold without its realized price matching what might have been discussed, then disappointment might cause repercussions here.
Although you should hopefully be able to discover the maker of the metalwork, there's no guarantee that you will locate an attribution for the glass.

Some direct comparisons of values of similar pieces can be found searching on-line auctions houses, together with the relevant value, which will help  -  although obviously this isn't always possible.      Discussing an item with an auction house or acknowledged glass expert should provide help in virtually all other instances, and wish you luck.

[Celtic Echo]

Thanks. As soon as I am able to verify the maker, I will be sure to look up comparable items for value. (Fortunately, because the vase has a metal framework with a hallmark on it, I think I might have a fair shot of finding out the maker.)

[flying free]

The glass is I think Kralik craquele.

m

[glassobsessed]

Another bit of this pale yellow Kralik crackle.

John

[Celtic Echo]

Wow, that picture you contributed helps a lot. On two other websites they were saying the vase was Loetz...but I wasn't so sure.

[glassobsessed]

Easy to assume a bit of Loetz when you seen a nice metal mount on a vase like that. The yellow vase in my photo was also around ten inches tall. I suspect the mount was all the work of the metal bashers, Kralik would have simply supplied the glass. In terms of date I would expect around 1905 give or take a few years.