Topic: Victorian vase with engraved 'signature'

[glassobsessed]

Assuming this small vase is Victorian in date, not quite a signature maybe more a series of numbers. It is 12.5cm tall, wide polished pontil mark, very tactile, super quality and surprisingly to me not a hint of uranium when tested.

Interesting because we see so little engraved from the era, the first line appears straightforward enough 3285 but the second could read as 904 or GOLL, third line is 0/-

Drawn a blank so far, anyone seen similar?

John

[Lustrousstone]

They look like Harrach numbers to me

[glassobsessed]

Yes see what you mean Christine, see what else I can find.

[flying free]

The large polished pontil mark is interesting. Made me query Loetz in my mind?  But I agree with Christine the numbering looks like it could be Harrach.  The enamelling is beautifully done.  Great design and perfect gilded outlines.  Really nice quality.

I looked at it and wondered if it might have had a lid at one point?  because of the width of the rim or something and the lip around it. Just something about it. Wondering it if was part of the set of three, two vase and an urn in the middle?

The rim/lip around it and the finish of it, plus the large polished pontil mark seems to perhaps be different to the Harrach pieces I'm looking at in the book but it's quite hard to tell.  i.e. The pieces in the book look to have cut and polished rims (therefore I'm assuming no pontil mark?).  However, there are a couple of pieces I've come across in the book (completely different to yours), that are described as 'mould-blown and free-formed' and they 'appear' to have a firepolished rim (page 325 and page 322 for examples) so might also have a polished pontil mark but no bases shown.

 Having checked the book looking for the decor and the foot shape, on page 230 there is a black handled urn type vase with lid. 
It's very different in overall shape and decoration however it has a similar foot to yours also gilded around the rim of the edge of the foot and also gilded around the rim of the inset part to the foot.  Dated 1877.

RE the colour - they show on page 247, two vases that appear to be matt finish but in a very similar colour to yours.  Might be the photo that makes them appear to be matt finish, but because of that it's hard to tell if it's really a colour match.  They are 1886 and designed by Josef Petricek.  Very ornate naturalistic enamelling on them.  Japanese inspired.  Described as 'Ivory coloured opal glass'.

Oh, another on page 274, described as 'Yellow-toned opaque Elfenbein glass' colour wise. 'dec. no. V 281'. and 'marked: inside the foot inscribed in black 1025/6 / V 281' . (appears completely white/pale ivory as a colour in the photograph).
 Again different shape and enamel decoration but a similar foot and dated 1884 'probably by Josef Petricek'.

On page 277 another 'Elfenbein' coloured vase. Quote 'marked: at the bottom inscription in olive green 1067/5 O 318'

And on page 279 a water set in Elfenbein - and looking at at I'd say your vase could definitely be described as 'Elfenbein' as it's colour. That set is dated 1885.  Completely different enamel decoration and style but the handle of the jug is in dark blue enamel.  That dark blue colour doesn't appear on the decoration on the set which is multi-coloured but has no dark blue in it.  Has gilding.

[glassobsessed]

Fabulous m thank you, will take another look at the vase today see if I can extract any more clues from it. Apologies for my tardy reply, this is the first time in many days I have been able to sign in to the board. Unfortunately the GMB seems to be becoming increasingly non functional.

[flying free]

Yes there appears to be a problem which Anne is trying to trace and sort.  On that note, thanks so much to Anne for everything you do if you are reading this. It is hugely appreciated.

m