Topic: Little Czech art glass vase with applied flower -- ZBS? Krasno? Skrdlovice?

[Anik R]

Hello all,

I've got a wonderfully funky little mottled art glass vase with an applied flower which I'm hoping someone can help me identify.  It's Czech, but I don't know if it's ZBS or possibly Krasno, or maybe even non-pattern-book Skrdlovice.

The vase is 10cm tall and weighs 374g.  Though it's dainty-looking, it's actually a very solid, thick piece. 

The pink frill at the top is applied, as is the base.  Ah, and in case anyone was wondering, no reaction under UV light.

I'm thinking it's ZBS though I haven't been able to find another vase like it.  I did, however, see a thermometer with a flower which had some similarities.


Thank you for looking,
Anik

[rocco]

I can see why you like it

As the glass is mottled and not bubbly, I would rather think ZBS than Skrdlovice or Krasno.
The wavy shape of the frill at the top seems rather typical for ZBS, too.

Here is a link to a 1955 ZBS catalogue an Pamela's Glasmusterbuch site, I see some similarities to your vase: >> Link

Michael

[Anik R]

Hi Michael 

Yes, I do see strong similarities (especially with the frilly top), however, I looked at the ZBS catalogues earlier, as well as, all the 40s to 60s CGR, Tvar, and Sklo a Keramika, but did not come across a vase like mine.  The Brychta book on Jindrich's Ceskoslovenske Sklo website has a vase which he made in the 1930s with applied flowers, but no applied top or base.

The underside of the base on my vase is interesting in that it has very subtle rings.  I've looked at all my figural ZBS pieces of the same type (ranging from the late 40s and newer), and none have rings.  The larger pieces have got a smooth round indent (from a pontil) and the smaller ones have got flat bottoms with a wavy pattern to the glass.  On the other hand, my Skrdlovice tree has also got subtle rings.

I've been looking like mad for the link to the ZBS exhibition which Jindrich once had on his site with hopes that I could see a similar enough vase somewhere among the pieces to satisfy a ZBS attribution, but it seems the link is gone.      Michael, would you happen to have a link to that album saved?

I really appreciate all your help!
Anik

[rocco]

Hi Anik,
sorry, I have never saved any links on Jindrich's site
BTW, I am so glad and thankful that he has restored the links to his google picture galleries (former picasa), so we have again access to his marvellous research.

I would attribute your piece to ZBS mainly for the transparent mottled glass, the shape of the applied top, and the rather vivid colours, all features I would associate with ZBS and not with the other companies mentioned. Particularly the thermometers have a very similar appearance to your lovely little vase... (here is mine, with applied fish; and a plain mottled ashtray)

Michael

[Anik R]

Thank you, Michael...  The ZBS thermometers, ashtrays and comical figurines are fantastic, aren't they?  I've got a few in my collection and the little vase does share quite a few of their features.  Still, I wish I could find definite proof that it is ZBS. 

Here are some of mine 

[chopin-liszt]

  Your little vase is quite, quite wonderful. I don't know enough to be able to tell different Czech makers and styles from each other really, but my first impression was of something strongly related to the Roubieck's slightly fantastical works. 

[Anik R]

Thank you, Sue!   I also think it's quite, quite wonderful