Glass Message Board
Glass Identification - Post here for all ID requests => Glass => Topic started by: horochar on May 27, 2009, 03:01:39 AM
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I am hoping someone can help me identify this stunningly gorgeous art nouveau vase, which I bought from a dealer who bought it at an estate auction. So I'm assuming it's a vintage piece and not a contemporary reproduction. The quality is amazing, but it has no signature. I didn't include a photo of the bottom, but it has a rough pontil. I believe Tiffany and I think Steuben signed most of their pieces in the 1903 - 1905 period in which I'm assuming this piece would have been produced. Depending on what it is, I may have to sell the cat. (Just kidding. Percy, you're safe :-* ).
Thanks,
Charles.
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Hi, Would it be possible to see a large image of the underside. I am not only interested in the pontil, but the amount of age wear that is present. Also, an idea of size may help.
Craig
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Craig -
It measures 13 /12 inches tall. The bottom does not show significant wear (see photo).
Thanks,
Charles.
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I have spent some time researching the piece for the last couple of days.I was looking more for the form than anything else. IMHO After looking at quite a few images of this style of vase, I have arrived at the opinion that I believe it to most likely be contemporary.
Several factors lead me to this belief. The first factor is that the "feel" of the piece in form is a little "stiff". By this I mean that it does not flow smoothly from top to bottom. The overall balance of the piece does not seem vintage to me. The foot and body seem a little too linear for an early piece. I found in most cases that this style of over sized flare at the top appears to be more of a contemporary style than a vintage style.
Additionally the style of foot, with the ball at the base also feels more contemporary to me than vintage. Generally, although not always, the early pieces have a much more gentle slope in the transition from the foot to the body. Also, the bodes in the older pieces have more of an organic feel, and this one is quite linear.
The lack of underside wear (not always an indicator of no age), combined with the style of pontil also lead me in that direction. The pontil looks a little rough to me in the pics.
Lastly, it is larger in size than almost any vintage piece I could find dimensions for, something I also find to be a more modern characteristic.
There are many known contemporary high quality houses that do similar work, like Ableman, Lundberg, Correia, to mention a few, and most of these contemporary companies have a tendency to use much more linear bodies as this vase has.
The style of the foot on this is unique, and I will post additional info if I find something either confirming my opinion, or contradicting what I have observed.
Hope this helps, Craig
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Thanks Craig. It's so kind of you to spend all this time analyzing all of the elements of the piece to try to identify maker. Of course you cannot really capture the feel and quality of art glass photographically, especially in reduced form on these posts. To see it in person is to appreciate its beauty and quality. What's so strange to me if (in fact) it's contemporary is that it would be unsigned.
Charles.