Topic: Super Vaseline vases , pair, with a surprise!

[Frank]

A new term invented on this board    :hiclp: :chky: :clap:

[Andy]

Thanks Christine, i would say they are by the same maker, i cant find any complete items on
the site though, and one thing worries me, mine have a smaller opening at the top, and the edges
flare outwards, so i cant see how something would sit on top of them :huh:
Do you think the Harrach scan you rcvd from Galle may be relevant to me ? They are similar
to your candle sticks :huh:

Regards Andy

[Lustrousstone]

No more relevant than my picture. Email Jim about your thingys, he's a member here, although he doesn't post (or visit I suspect) very often. Clicking on the lonely hearts items gives you his email if you can't find it elsewhere

[Galle]

I sent you the scan, Andy... I don't know if it's relevant or not, but at least you can see what we were discussing.

[Andy]

Hi,
well, ive just emailed jim, giving him this link, and telling him he would be very welcome.
and Warren, thanks for the scan, i think its very similar in styles, and would not be
surprised if they are Harrach.

Thanks all,
Andy

[Ivo]

The domes are remarkably like the fairy lights I supplied to Jim some moths ago... but that could be coincidence.

[Frank]

The differences could suggest that one was made later to match the other, probably to the same glasshouse. This is quite a common practise when one of a pair or a part gets broken.

[Jim Sapp]

Hi everyone,

This is a great forum but, sadly, I do not visit often.  I want to thank Andy for inviting me to participate in this topic.  I always enjoy talking about fairy lamps.

First, I want to address what these "vases" are not.  While quite similar, they are not parts of a fairy lamp.  As previously noted, the top opening is much too small to accept a fairy lamp cup.  To help you see the difference, I have put a few examples on-line for you.  They are at:

http://www.fairy-lamp.com/Temp/Standards.jpg

As you will see, the consistent feature is a top opening of about 2 inches that will accept a pyramid-size lamp cup.  Or, it will have an opening of about 3 inches that will accept a fairy-size lamp cup.

Now, for what they are.  In 1940, J.F. Madsen prepared a book (unpublished) on Victorian Christmas Lights.  In the book he included a discussion on "Life Lights."  According to Madden, a Life Light was given to a child at birth and lit on each birthday.  I believe these "vases" are Life Lights.  Keep in mind, however, this is the only source that identifies these as Life Lights.  If true, I suspect they did not burn candles but, used oil with a floating wick.
  
I have put Madsen's unpublished book on-line for your reference.  It is quite large in adobe.pdf format.  You can scan through the pages or, if you prefer, search for "life" to find the discussion and examples.  The book is at:

http://www.fairy-lamp.com/Fairylamp/ChristmasLightsGraham.pdf

As to the maker.  I think Harrach is a good guess but, I believe they are a product of Hosch, another well known Bohemian glass maker.  The rationale for attributing these to Hosch is based on the fact that Hosch made the similarly styled fairy lamps.  And, fortunately, Hosch documented the fairy lamps in his catalog. The date of this catalog is unknown but, is believed to be c. 1905.  I have also put the catalog page on-line that shows his line of fairy lamps.  The catalog is at:

http://www.fairy-lamp.com/Fairylamp/CatalogAds/HoschPageUnknown.jpg

Keep in mind, however, I am of the opinion that it is nearly impossible to positively attribute any Bohemian glass to a specific manufacture with precise documentation.  Consequently, I love old catalogs!

Now, if you don't mind, a bit of self promotion.  Following the lead of this forum, I have developed my own forum on fairy lamps.  I would like to invite to visit this forum and perhaps use it to answer those nagging fairy lamp questions.  The forum is at:

www.fairylampforum.com

I hope this long-winded explanation helps.  

Jim
www.fairylampclub.com

[Galle]

I agree with Jim that Hosch is more likely than Harrach. Hosch was a glass refiner and fabricator who also purchased finished glassware from other top refineries to sell in its export showroom.

[Lustrousstone]

Thank you Jim,  :clap: Life lamp or oil burner possibly also covers my thingy and perhaps Marinka's pink trimmed vase thingy http://www.glassmessages.com/index.php/topic,20565.0.html

I have signed up 

Hope you don't mind us prodding you occasionally