Glass Message Board

Glass Identification - Post here for all ID requests => Glass => Topic started by: MarkHill on July 29, 2009, 12:44:25 PM

Title: Great cut & engraved vase - Scandi or Czech, or something else...?
Post by: MarkHill on July 29, 2009, 12:44:25 PM
Hi All,
I'm hoping someone can help me out with something I bought in Berlin at the weekend.
It's 12in (30.5cm) high, and probably Scandi or Czech, but it's not something I can put my finger on.
The cut and engraved pattern shows a number of highly stylised 'beasts' in a row in the middle, a fir tree top left, a mushroom and other stylised things of an arboreal nature top right. There's a line of small polished lens cuts under the composition, but it doesn't go all the way around the body. The only signature/mark is a cut 'LM' monogram on the bottom right of the composition, with the base of the L underneath the M.
I hope you'll agree that it's rather good, and pretty well-executed. With the hollow, but thick, facet-cut base, it's a fairly heavy piece too. There are signs of considerable wear to the base too, in terms of an excellent network of scratches from being moved/displayed, and a few (annoyingly new looking) chips to the base rim. The body is in perfect condition.
Is it something you recognise at all?
Any thoughts much appreciated,
Thank you very much,
Mark

P.S.; Apologies about the poor images, they're the best I can do with my camera! I hope they give enough of an impression to trigger something...
Title: Re: Great cut & engraved vase - Scandi or Czech, or something else...?
Post by: Sklounion on July 29, 2009, 06:13:59 PM
Hi Mark,
Thinking this is Czech, and one of Moser's engravers, probably Lubos Metelak, stylistically similar.
Marcus
Title: Re: Great cut & engraved vase - Scandi or Czech, or something else...?
Post by: MarkHill on July 29, 2009, 07:02:48 PM
Thanks Marcus, much appreciated - a mine (and mind) of information, as ever.
It does have the quality of Czech, I had presumed Metelak was too early/not possible, but I should have done my homework better.  ::)
I wonder if I could contact Moser with some proper pictures? Have you ever done this, or has anyone you know? I presume that they would recognise the monogram, if anything.
I'd really like to know for sure, as you can imagine. I did find a similar row of lenses used in a design in Helmut Ricke's Czech glass book, but by another artist.
Thank you again,
M.
Title: Re: Great cut & engraved vase - Scandi or Czech, or something else...?
Post by: Lustrousstone on July 29, 2009, 07:41:34 PM
Mark, people on the board have contacted Moser and got decent replies. They seem to be very helpful. According to the Moser book, Metelak was a designer at the company between 1962 and 1993
Title: Re: Great cut & engraved vase - Scandi or Czech, or something else...?
Post by: MarkHill on July 29, 2009, 08:59:51 PM
Thanks for the info Christine, I think I'll contact them. I don't have the Moser book to hand, so that's good to know - I found the same date info on their website. I'm guessing this is an earlier piece, would have thought 50s, but if it is by him, then early to mid 60s, I'm thinking, from the stylisation.
I'll be sure to let the Board know what I find out :-)
Thanks all,
M.