Topic: Malachite / Slag Glass Vase ID?

[Penelope12]

I wonder if anyone can identify this malachite glass vase, I have had it tucked away in a cupboard for a while, but have so far drawn a blank. It is very similar to the Sowerby Malachite range and of a similar age, but the manufacture is different Apart from several burst bubbles on the inside there are no seams and there seems to be a ground and polished pontil to the base. It stands at just over 4” inches tall...any ideas?

Thanks in advance Penny

[MHT]

Hello Penny

Not seen that pattern before. I also have a similar small cased vase which I have been unable to attribute.
Mine also has a white inside, is about 4" tall and, I have only just noticed, a ground pontil.
Sorry about the picture but it is next to a Sowerby blown cased item for comparison.
Small Sowerby blown pieces are made differently, the blowing rod was attached at the top, after breaking off, the top is ground flat, so no pontil mark on the bottom. If there is a Sowerby, or registration mark it is usually on the bottom.
I have seen a couple like mine on Ebay in blue and green malachite.
There is a larger, similarly made piece in Cyril Manley's book, Decorative Victorian Glass (page 96 if you have it). He thought it might be Sowerby but was not sure.
It is possibly Sowerby but my guess would be one of the other glass houses trying to emulate Sowerby cased malachite glass, possibly Davidson.
So we still don't know

Mike

[Penelope12]

Thanks Mike,

My first thought was Sowerby, especially as it reminded me so much of a marble vase that I once owned. That too had lots of burst bubbles in the white glass, but they were on the outside not on the inside and that had the typical base with the Sowerby mark just visible, not a ground pontil.

Yes, your vase looks very similar especially with the white interior; I’ve not come across that one before...still a mystery for now then.

Wow!... An amazing website, very informative, I am going to dig out some of my other mystery pieces and see if I can use it to identify a few...now where did I put that box..?

Penny

[MHT]

Lovely piece of marbled Sowerby Penny. I should know as it is now in my collection, I must have bought it from you.   

Mike

[Penelope12]

Ah...yes, had to wrench myself away from that one. It came from an avid collector of Victorian pressed glass, many pieces of which are still to be identified in that box when I find it! 

[MHT]

If you need any help let me know, i'm a bit avid myself.

Mike

[Penelope12]

Thanks Mike, nothing as rare as the marble one, but there are some interesting pieces. I always think that it’s so sad when a collection goes through the auction and all the research from the previous owner is lost, I have come across it many times. Brilliant idea to put it all online for future generations.

[Penelope12]

Hi Mike,

I think I have just found your vase whilst trying to idenify some of those in that box which I eventually found. It is in the Sowerby catalogue for 1882 number 1248, courtesy of 20th Century Glass.https://www.20thcenturyglass.com/glass_encyclopedia/glass_catalogues/sowerbyglass_catalogues/sowerbyglass_catalogue1882-04.htm

Penny

[MHT]

Hi Penny
Sorry to confuse you. In my initial reply I was referring to the vase on the right as being similar to yours.
The only picture I had of that vase also pictured the blown Sowerby blown cased (1248) vase on the left.
Did you get my PM?
Mike

[Penelope12]

Doh!...Silly me, I thought you were referring to the one in front with the white lined interior which you don't see very often and I did think it was odd that you hadn't spotted it in the Sowerby catalogue. 

Penny