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Glass Identification - Post here for all ID requests => Glass => Topic started by: Pinkspoons on June 10, 2015, 06:05:38 PM

Title: Art Deco-y Folded Rim Vase of Ambiguous Colouration
Post by: Pinkspoons on June 10, 2015, 06:05:38 PM

A stepped vase with a look of the 1920s-30s about it, bearing a folded rim. Ostensibly in a steel blue colour, but, curiously, turns a partially opalescent green when in direct sunlight.

It's 15cm/6" tall and 14cm/5.5" diameter, a polished pontil mark to the base alongside very heavy signs of wear.

I assume Northern Europe or Scandinavian manufacture, but I've exhausted my library for those parts of the world.

Any help gratefully received.

Title: Re: Art Deco-y Folded Rim Vase of Ambiguous Colouration
Post by: David E on June 11, 2015, 08:01:28 AM

I can't help with attribution, but perhaps the colour change in light is associated with Neodymium or one of the other rare-earth compounds? I have a panel-cut vase and a "mixing bowl" that have a very similar colouration, which turn pale-green under fluorescent light. No idea who made them, but I did wonder about Moser.

Might be worth trying UV as well!

Title: Re: Art Deco-y Folded Rim Vase of Ambiguous Colouration
Post by: Pinkspoons on June 11, 2015, 10:06:31 AM

I'm not too sure it's a typical rare earth light wavelength thing.

I just checked it with fluorescent lighting and tungsten, and it's wholly dependent on the direction of the light source rather than its make-up. Backlit is steel blue, front-lit is opal-ish green, regardless.

So much like standard opalescent glass - but not in colours or a manner I've run into before.

Title: Re: Art Deco-y Folded Rim Vase of Ambiguous Colouration
Post by: Ivo on June 11, 2015, 10:36:21 AM

Looks like it is high in magnesium then.

Title: Re: Art Deco-y Folded Rim Vase of Ambiguous Colouration
Post by: Pinkspoons on June 13, 2015, 08:51:23 AM

Ta. A small part of the mystery solved, at least.