Topic: BACCARAT- Blue French Opaline Glass Vase - Molded

[flying free]

In this report of 1862 from the Annales du Conservatoire National des Arts et Metiers
on page 536 under the paragraph headed 'Verre Opale',
the description describes how the glass becomes quote 'opalines'.

Quote:
'Verre opale -  Le verre fondue est transparent;  c'est en rechauffant et en faconnant les pieces quelle deviennent opalines'

Translation (google translate):
Opal glass - The melted glass is transparent; it is by warming up and shaping the pieces that become opalines



That report also has a paragraph entitled 'Verre de Albatre' just above the paragraph entitled 'Verre opale'. I believe  this translates as 'Alabaster glass' and it seems they are describing the French 'pate de riz' . I have not translated that paragraph.


Source:
https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=CPA0AAAAMAAJ&printsec=frontcover&dq=Conservatoire+National+des+Arts+et+M%C3%AAtiers&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwiej6q0wpXXAhUDuhoKHYWmBOw4ChDoAQhLMAc#v=onepage&q=Verre&f=false

So a description of glass from 1862  using the word 'opalines' as a descriptor .

m

[Anne Tique]

coming back to anotonizz - did we ever get an answer as to whether his vase was opaque or translucent?  if not that may be because the vase in question has yet to be seen.

I doubt that it will happen or whether it will make any difference now, as the vase is already up for sale.

[flying free]

Just for comparison and because R. Antonis' links didn't work,
this one is on CW. 
It is a baby green opaque glass with pattern on it, similar rim and shape to the OPs.

The poster says it is Baccarat.  I couldn't see any reference source for that  though.

https://www.collectorsweekly.com/stories/197700-baccarat-molded-opaline-morning-glories?in=449-activity

[Anne Tique]

Just a thought, and I don't want to milk this subject about opaline and its soapy character, but could the difference be in  something as simple as the item being  blown or mould/pressed, the latter process giving a less translucent effect?

[Paul S.]

Anne, are you suggesting that mould made glass is often thicker than free blow glass, thereby reducing the ability to be translucent and increasing the opacity  -  whereas the latter - though not necessarily this one  -  are by their thinness naturally translucent and this would be of benefit to opaline glass ?                 I don't know that opaline pieces were necessarily made thin deliberately - much of it appears reasonably thick - it seems to be the case that the colour of the glass almost alone was able to achieve the desired appearance (of milk and water), without the need for transmitted light - as is the case for translucence.               It's true though that when held up to a strong light then often opaline appears translucent to some degree (the sunset glow etc.).              or is that not what you meant at all.

Did we say something wrong to Antonis - the correspondence seems to have stopped ?

[Anne Tique]

Hi Paul,

Yes, that's what i meant, as the mould is the mould right? It can only get as thick or thin as the mould allows it to be and when it's blown, it could be a lot thinner, perhaps not on purpose, but it would add to its translucency I guess. Just a thought that came to mind while I'm pressing my uniform ... well the help is, but i'm going through the process in spirit ... I just bought a Baccarat vase (the same model as Andrew's), not received as yet, and as it is mould and i'm looking again at the images, I was wondering this theory.

I don't know about Antonis, perhaps he didn't get the replies he was looking for but the original vase in question has been sold a while ago.

[flying free]

No I don't think it's only to  do with the mold only - I mean I don't think the translucency or opacity is to do with the mold only.

The formulation of the glass recipe and then the cooling or reheating of the glass is a major part of what causes the translucency as far as I understand it.  The thickness at certain parts may then add to it appearing to be less translucent than other parts, even in handblown glass pieces.   And the thickness at certain parts of some mold pieces may mean they cool at different rates than the thinner parts thus appearing to be less translucent.  But in the case of the mold blown barely translucent pieces I think it might be to do more with the batch or glass recipe used if you see what I mean?

m

[Anne Tique]

Yes I understand and I hadn't even thought of that, it goes way beyond my knowledge when it comes to recipes and formulas re glass ... the only recipes that I  know about are used in the kitchen here (and not too bad if I may say so )...but could it be a factor or is it complete nonsense what i'm suggesting?

[Paul S.]

be round about 11.oo for coffee and whatever culinary efforts you're good at Anne  -- will help clean that window at the same time

[Anne Tique]

Milk or sugar? ... or are you an expensive one and have both?