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Glass Discussion & Research. NO IDENTIFICATION REQUESTS here please. => Murano & Italy Glass => Topic started by: Andy on July 17, 2008, 04:00:06 PM

Title: Prettiest ever bowl! Theres an ELEPHANT in the room!
Post by: Andy on July 17, 2008, 04:00:06 PM
Very happy today, desperately wanted this bowl at auction, came with few other bits,
see pic 1, farmer with a broken chopper, another with bowl of ducks, i will pop them
on the Murano board.
The Beautiful Elephant is in a fantastic minty green, irridescent finish ,
its all handmade, bowl is 6 inches across, Dumbo is 6 inches tall, Thick heavy, 1.8kg
It did come with a matching Pestle, luckily i dont think anyones ever used it, as no chips at all.
Theres wear to base, I estimate 1930s-50s.
Its not signed, but, its so unusual and pretty, im hoping someone may have an idea who made it.

Enjoy,
all comments welcome,
Cheers
Andy
Title: Re: Prettiest ever bowl! Theres an ELEPHANT in the room!
Post by: Andy on July 17, 2008, 04:01:11 PM
And 4 photos are just not enough!
 ;D
Title: Re: Prettiest ever bowl! Theres an ELEPHANT in the room!
Post by: Dave the Glass on July 17, 2008, 06:00:34 PM
It looks a bit small to be a pestle & delicate, are you sure they go together? Still nice though
Title: Re: Prettiest ever bowl! Theres an ELEPHANT in the room!
Post by: pamela on July 17, 2008, 07:04:14 PM
Cocacola bottles in Africa? I've made a mere and poor experience
Title: Re: Prettiest ever bowl! Theres an ELEPHANT in the room!
Post by: shandiane78 on July 17, 2008, 10:03:36 PM
If they do go together, might it be a snuffer for putting out cigarettes or cigars?
Title: Re: Prettiest ever bowl! Theres an ELEPHANT in the room!
Post by: Lustrousstone on July 18, 2008, 06:27:47 AM
I think Shannon might be on the right track there
Title: Re: Prettiest ever bowl! Theres an ELEPHANT in the room!
Post by: Andy on July 18, 2008, 12:13:02 PM
Hi,
im pretty sure they go together, glass is identical.
Im not sure about the snuffer for a smoker, as a smoker for 30 years until 1 year ago ;D
Shannon, im leaning towards it probably being Italian , whats your opinion on that?
Under uv light there is a very very faint glow, but hardly worth mentioning.

Thanks,
Andy

ps, Pamela, sorry, dont understand your message :huh:

pps, Frank, do you want pics for the zoo? or do you need a definite ID ?
Title: Re: Prettiest ever bowl! Theres an ELEPHANT in the room!
Post by: Frank on July 18, 2008, 12:42:27 PM
Yes please, other figures too. One of the functions of the Zoo is provide an ID resource so unknowns are there too, just waiting for the day when...  :D
Title: Re: Prettiest ever bowl! Theres an ELEPHANT in the room!
Post by: Pinkspoons on July 18, 2008, 12:51:50 PM
Cocacola bottles in Africa?

Do you mean Ngwenya Glass animals, made in Swaziland from recycled drinks bottles?

http://www.ngwenyaglass.co.sz/
Title: Re: Prettiest ever bowl! Theres an ELEPHANT in the room!
Post by: Andy on July 18, 2008, 01:11:27 PM
Thanks Nic,
Pamela i understand what you mean now. :D
Super website. There are some fantastic and beautiful animals on there :o Very Impressive !

I dont think its where mine comes from, he looks a bit more like Dumbo

Andy

Title: Re: Prettiest ever bowl! Theres an ELEPHANT in the room!
Post by: Lustrousstone on July 18, 2008, 02:16:38 PM
I think the word might be stubber, see here (http://www.trademe.co.nz/Pottery-glass/Glass-crystal/Bowls-dishes/auction-161850896.htm) for an animal-free version
Title: Re: Prettiest ever bowl! Theres an ELEPHANT in the room!
Post by: Andy on July 18, 2008, 02:38:22 PM
Christine,
its times like these i realise i have far too much glass ::)
Found these 'pestle and mortars' or cigarette stubbers on my shelves!
Andy
 ;D
Title: Re: Prettiest ever bowl! Theres an ELEPHANT in the room!
Post by: Lustrousstone on July 18, 2008, 05:09:02 PM
 ;D ;D ::) ::) Oooh nice ones. Now we know what perhaps we can sort out where for your elephnat
Title: Re: Prettiest ever bowl! Theres an ELEPHANT in the room!
Post by: shandiane78 on July 18, 2008, 05:32:35 PM
Hmmm, well I don't think we call it a stubber over here. At any rate, I do think an Italian origin is possible. I have a feeling it could be Barbini, but I've never seen anything quite like it, so the feeling is...Just a feeling.  :P
Title: Re: Prettiest ever bowl! Theres an ELEPHANT in the room!
Post by: krsilber on July 18, 2008, 07:51:10 PM
What a cutie!  Maybe the trunk was designed to hold a cigarette?

Not that it's the case here, but sometimes glass can take on iridescence through the breakdown of its structure.  It doesn't even have to be that old - I've had pieces from the 1920s-1930s with an iridescent sheen due to chemical wear.
Title: Re: Prettiest ever bowl! Theres an ELEPHANT in the room!
Post by: pamela on July 19, 2008, 06:17:51 PM
NIC pinkspoons, right, thank you ! I've got a pair of these bookends
http://www.ngwenyaglass.co.sz/images/01-C-BE.jpg made from cola bottles
 :o
Title: Re: Prettiest ever bowl! Theres an ELEPHANT in the room!
Post by: Andy on August 09, 2008, 04:58:21 PM
Another picture of the iridescence, style is a bit Poshinger, Tiffany.

Did the italians use this kind of finish?

Cheers
Andy

ps Kristi, cigarette not long enough, i think a cigar would sit better just on the edge of the bowl,
rather than in the trunk.
 :D
Title: Re: Prettiest ever bowl! Theres an ELEPHANT in the room!
Post by: shandiane78 on August 09, 2008, 05:56:17 PM
Yes, but not commonly. Iridescence was done on some better Murano pieces. Maybe you should try posting this on the fossilfly board (or in the Murano section here?). I still do think it could be a very good Italian piece.
Title: Re: Prettiest ever bowl! Theres an ELEPHANT in the room!
Post by: Andy on August 09, 2008, 06:15:28 PM
Thanks Shannon  ;)

I will try Murano board here first. I think Italian is quite likely.

Moderators ??  Could i have this moved to Murano board ?

Regards
Andy
Title: Re: Prettiest ever bowl! Theres an ELEPHANT in the room!
Post by: rosieposie on August 10, 2008, 09:26:13 AM
I think you are right Andy, it does have a look of Italian.  Look at the 'sophisticated' ears. almost human.  The Ngwenya ears are usually quite simple in comparison.

If it was for stubbing out cigars or cigarettes,then it might have been washed in very hot water, as stale tobacco smells do linger (don't they Andy!).
 
I have some glasses that have become iridescent as a result of this 'mistreatment'. :'(

I also have several what I termed 'Tobacco tamps'.....for pushing tobacco down firmly into the pipe, the handle was turned round to be used to scrape out the pipe bowl  after smoking. 
I bought these over the years to use for mixing my essential oils as I like glass, but that was not their original intention.........Maybe we should start a 'Smoking paraphernalia' thread!!
Title: Re: Prettiest ever bowl! Theres an ELEPHANT in the room!
Post by: Lustrousstone on August 10, 2008, 09:48:53 AM
The iridescence was meant to be there, you can slight the slight stretch effect in it
Title: Re: Prettiest ever bowl! Theres an ELEPHANT in the room!
Post by: Andy on April 12, 2009, 10:51:05 AM
Hi,
just thought id bump this one up again, i know theres lots more members on the board,
and many new Bohemian fans.
I wondered if it may be moved back to Glass, as im leaning towards Bohemia, Austria ?

Cheers
Andy
Title: Re: Prettiest ever bowl! Theres an ELEPHANT in the room!
Post by: TxSilver on April 13, 2009, 02:13:45 PM
Andy, I think that your bowl is Murano. The iridescence rang a strong bell with me, but I can't place it right now. I know I have seen a similar bowl, but without an elephant on it. The elephant looks to be of the style made 1950s and later. The base of your ashtray is very well done. You have a good quality ashtray. I have a feeling that you will find an answer for the bowl when you or someone runs across one in their searches.
Title: Re: Prettiest ever bowl! Theres an ELEPHANT in the room!
Post by: Andy on April 13, 2009, 03:39:29 PM
Thanks Anita,
its certainly a nice thing, ive not quite found anything very similar since i got it.
Im sure its either Murano or Bohemian, if you remember, please let me know.  :-*

It will turn up somewhere, one day!

Cheers
Andy
Title: Re: Prettiest ever bowl! Theres an ELEPHANT in the room!
Post by: Jindra8526 on April 14, 2009, 08:05:15 AM
Hi Andy,
the elephant is great.
I suppose it is not Czech, I never seen here same piece and  moreover the bowl or rather glass mortar has no ussage in Czech cooking :-)

Jindrich
Title: Re: Prettiest ever bowl! Theres an ELEPHANT in the room!
Post by: Lustrousstone on April 14, 2009, 10:22:18 AM
It's not for cooking Jindrich. The bowl is an ashtray and the pestle is for stubbing out a cigarette.
Title: Re: Prettiest ever bowl! Theres an ELEPHANT in the room!
Post by: Jindra8526 on April 14, 2009, 01:42:46 PM
I would use it for grinding of red pepper to make my goulash nice and hot :-)
Jindrich
Title: Re: Prettiest ever bowl! Theres an ELEPHANT in the room!
Post by: Andy on April 14, 2009, 02:06:41 PM
Thanks for your help Jindrich,

Sounds nice, hot goulash !  >:D

Regards
Andy
Title: Re: Prettiest ever bowl! Theres an ELEPHANT in the room!
Post by: TxSilver on April 20, 2009, 02:18:15 AM
I was just looking at an iridito figurine by Barovier & Toso. The color reminded me of your bowl, so I thought I would tell you. Maybe it will give some ideas.
Title: Re: Prettiest ever bowl! Theres an ELEPHANT in the room!
Post by: Andy on April 20, 2009, 12:31:58 PM
Thanks Anita,

I see Barovier & Toso are still going strong (amazing lighting! ) and they have a museum,
i will try emailing them and have a good search on the web!

Best wishes
Andy