Glass Message Board
Glass Discussion & Research. NO IDENTIFICATION REQUESTS here please. => Scandinavian Glass => Topic started by: JohnPeller on August 27, 2010, 02:16:39 PM
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I'd appreciate help identifying this Orrefors bowl. It's 8 1/4" wide and 5" tall. It's in perfect condition, except that the bottom is badly scratched so I can't read the markings. All I can read is "orrefors" and maybe (maybe!) 1?6/1?1, but I'm not even to sure about any of that. It's from my parents, possibly from the 1970s or 1980s (maybe earlier). Thanks for your help! John Peller, Chicago IL USA
http://picasaweb.google.com/jpeller72/OrreforsBowl?authkey=Gv1sRgCJm29-DSloijlQE#
(http://lh6.ggpht.com/_RHaVEKPNzfI/THfF0vPcHJI/AAAAAAAAAeE/MMi6p2iKGpM/s128/IMG_0003.JPG)
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Hi and welcome to the gmb. A photograph of the base and markings would help a great deal.
The best way to try to capture markings is to dust them with talcum powder, then rub your finger lightly over them - the talc will stay in the grooves. Take the picture on the closest close-up setting your camera will do, against a dark background.
I'm sure your mystery will be solved. :thup:
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Thanks for the suggestion!
Here are three pics with talcum, which I hope will do the trick. Thanks for your help, everyone!
http://picasaweb.google.com/jpeller72/OrreforsBowl?authkey=Gv1sRgCJm29-DSloijlQE#5510124957716763698
http://picasaweb.google.com/jpeller72/OrreforsBowl?authkey=Gv1sRgCJm29-DSloijlQE#5510124984133512018
http://picasaweb.google.com/jpeller72/OrreforsBowl?authkey=Gv1sRgCJm29-DSloijlQE#5510125001590001010
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I cannot help with the ID but thanks to Sue for the tip re photographing or indeed reading signatures.
I too am struggling with an Orrefors piece which now reads PU 2597 with the aid of talc.
Many thanks
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Maybe a shallower angle with reflected base will give a clearer result. When the photo is as straight on as yours you get colours and refraction to confuse.
It also may help if you put the weight onto a dark background and take the signature normally - it will show up white compared to the darker background.
Finally a method I use if the base is mnote smooth is to light rub a pencill over the marks. The signature should show up lighter than the surrounding base
I have attached three signatures from Australian paperweights -
Chris Pantano - impossible to photograph straight on due to the included dichroic material
Chris Pantano - darker background
Mat Quicke - showing how the pencil works
Ross
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Oops! forgot TAB does not work normally here are the three photos I intended to attach>
Ross
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Orrefors P xxxxxx
Palmqvist
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Looking at your talcum powder pictures I am uncertain whether it is a P = Sven Palmquist or an A = Olle Alberius. Perhaps you can decide better than we can.
Ross
PS. By the way Wayan the PU **** = Sven (P)almquist[the designer] + (U)ncut, smooth glass - followed by the design number.
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Thanks Ross for the additional info - does the number help to date a piece or is it a design number?
If a design number, is there info as to how long designs were in production?
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Wayan as far as I know it is purely a design number - but somewhere that number was allocated and a reference presumably kept as to when that occurred. There are members of the GMB who are able to give dates - I, personally, have yet to buy a reference or come across a site that allows me that information. I would try sending an email direct to Orrefors - who knows they may be able to tell you. If you do find a way to date Orrefors I would appreciate you passing it on.
Ross
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I took some more pictures today, but I'm not sure they will be that helpful. Tried the oblique angle and the pencil, but it didn't produce much. thanks for the suggestions, Ross.
however, I do think it's a "P" not an "A". I also think there's a six in there.
Is it possible that the design number has a slash ("/") in it? It could be x6/1xx
Some progress, perhaps. Thank you!
http://picasaweb.google.com/jpeller72/OrreforsBowl?authkey=Gv1sRgCJm29-DSloijlQE#5511005013808596514
http://picasaweb.google.com/jpeller72/OrreforsBowl?authkey=Gv1sRgCJm29-DSloijlQE#5510954192589706642
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Using your talc photos I would have a punt at 4046/121 for the numbers.
Ross
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My friends I have already written Palmqvist. No further investigations are needed.
The product number always consists of two parts xxxxx / xxxx , first part is the model/design number, second part indicates what it is. Ie a bowl, vase, or so....
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Ross, there's a comprehensive list of what the marks are in Ivo Haanstra's (Ivo here :clap: ) wonderful little book, "Glass Fact File a-z". A fabulous little book, crammed with info., no self-respecting glass collector should be without. ISBN 1-84000-429-0
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Thank you all so much for your help! I look forward to hearing what the master himself has to say!
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I'm 100% sure it's designed by Palmqvist. I have seen it many times here in Sweden and I think I have another version in stock.
I think this was designed during the 50's.
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I did what I should have done in the first place - emailed Orrefors. They were very kind and immediately identified the piece. Ross, you were right about the number! I'm curious to learn when it was produced, and what the name of the series was (I asked, and I'll let you know what I hear).
Good lesson for a newbie - ask the company first! Thanks for your help, everyone, John
"Dear John.
Your vase was in a catalog from 1972 and the designer was Sven Palmqvist. The article number is 4046 and it was eight different vases and bowls.
Your size have the article number 4046-121.
Sincerely Yours
Lena and Kia"
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that's what i told you from the beginning.
But it might be earlier than 72 since he quit working there 1971. It could ofcourse be an older design that eariler was rejected. But looking at the engraving technique i would say it's earlier.
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Sorry Daniel
But in an earlier posting you mentioned having contaced Palmqvist, and since he has been dead since 1984, what powers do you have?
Having spent many days at Orrefors and in the late 1980's and been by his house a thousand times while visiting Olle
Alberius, I never saw one of the great inovators of glass techniques.
Best
Bill Geary
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Daniel said "written Palmqvist", not written to Palmqvist, meaning he'd already given John the answer
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I was 7 when he died so I have never claimed that. Nor have I written that I have contacted him. Just that I already have written that the piece is designed by SP.
My grandfather knew him very well(my grandfather worked at Orrefors for 37 years) and I myself have been in the same class as his grand children.
I have also worked at both OF and KB.
I have a modest collection of maybe 1000 pieces. Getting offended here is of no use for me, I will stop contributing.
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Please don't stop contributing Daniel. It was just a misunderstanding and the sort of thing that happens when not everyone's first language is the same.
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:o
Daniel, without your input we would be greatly reduced.
John
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Hej:
Sorry Daniel, my note was sent as a "tongue in cheek" e-mail
Best
Bill 'geary
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Hi, Just been reading the very interesting tips on photographing signatures, very useful so thanks to everybody who contributed to that.
Veronica