Glass Message Board
Glass Identification - Post here for all ID requests => Glass => Topic started by: Ayesha1938 on December 11, 2019, 01:29:52 PM
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Vase is 11" H, wit. 3 lbs. Controlled bubbles; ribbed design; hand blown; rough pontiff cut (1) Is it Murano? (2) If Murano - years/era introduced? - (3) designer? no signature.
Thanks in advance for any info you may be able to share. Truly appreciate your checking out inquiry. :D
Carole
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Hello Carole. From the pictures, I'm seeing random bubbles, rather than controlled bubbles. Is the Pontil satin finished, rather than polished? It's not easy to tell from pictures. I have seen similar pieces on the alibaba site - Murano style Chinese manufacture - which might be a possibility for this piece.
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Hi, thanks for your reply. It has a "rough cut pontiff" and I realize my photos are a bit hazy. I know it's not Chinese and that it's an old piece. Thanks for the correction regarding "controlled" bubbles. Have added a more decipherable pic showing the pontiff.
Carole
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Thanks for the extra picture. hopefully the distinctive shape of this piece will help. It is very pretty.
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Thanks. I looked at all the photos I took and realize they don't do the vase any justice; especially can't see the bubbles and ribbing of the glass. :+( So I'm going to delete and repost with more definitive pics. I was in a hurry when I photographed it.
Again, I appreciate all your input.
Kind regards,
Carole
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Carole, you don't need to have it deleted (which only a moderator can do), just post your images in a reply to this topic.
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Have added new pics that shown more detail of blown bubbles and rib shape. Taken outdoors; sun light.
Carole
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Lovely new pictures, Carole, but its still not possible to tell from them whether the pontil is satin finished or polished. You have mentioned a couple of times that it is "rough cut", but I just wanted to clarify in terms that are more often used on this board. It appears to be slightly concave, and not completely polished out, but cannot tell if it has been left satin finished. It can really help if you are able to take a picture at a 45 degree angle against the light, so that the detail on the base is caught in the light like the example below, and other much better ones on this board. Its not easy!
Many thanks
Cat
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Hi Cat,
I hope pics shows better that the bottom is satin finished (2 pics same area, one sharper than the other). In the end, it's blown bubbles, satin finish bottom, rough pontiff cut. I do believe it was made sometime ago and that it's Italian and perhaps Murano. The color is more cranberry than purple (light reflections merged in sections, interfered with getting cranberry color). Heavy for a small vase - 3 lbs - 11" highest point - 5 1/2" widest point. Glass is thick.
You have been soooo helpful. And I learn, and learn, and learn. Thank you very much. If you any further conclusions, would love to hear.
Best regards,
Carole
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The base on a Murano item wouldn't be finished like this. It woiuld be polished and shiny, even if there was a bit of the pontil mark remaining (the pontiff is the Pope BTW). The colour would also be atypical for Murano. The bubbles are deliberate but not blown. I suggest it's a modern studio piece
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Thanks for your reply. Yes, I know I erred in the Pontil area...when I typed it in the first time it change to Pontiff and so I repeated it.
Carole
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https://www.muranoglassitaly.com/how-to-identify-the-real-murano-glass-top-4-characteristics/
Just found this online.
Best regards,
Carole
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The part about the pontil mark is wrong. 90% of Murano pontil marks are polished away to leave a smooth and shiny surface. The grinding is never matte. The exceptions to a totally smooth and shiny finish occur when the item has a raised foot, in which case there is no need to remove the pontil mark or when the rod has broken off too deeply; in this case, there will be a smooth shiny mark surrounding a small scar because getting rid of it all would damage the item.
On your vase, the pontil rod has broken away quite deeply BUT the grinding is matte and not of Murano quality. This is common on studio items when they neither have the time nor the resources for fine finishing or on Chinese items which are mostly produced as quickly and cheaply as possible
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Hi,
Thanks very much for the follow-up response.
What I appreciate most about posting on the Glass Message Board is when find my guesses about a particular piece are incorrect and I learn something new for future references.
I'm inclined to believe it is not Italian made. The scar break off point of the cut is shiny itself but it looks like a bad cut...and the bottom is not matte rather it has a soft lustered finish like satin. The vase is old and the bottom is quite worn. The heavy glass now seems a bit clunky, rather than durable.
My "I found a Murano vase" excitement has completely worn off. Still a lovely color, has a "interesting" form...will be here to remind me of what to look for (and what not to purchase) in future trips to estate sale, thrift shop, and consignment stores.
Again, I do appreciate your reply.
Best regards,
Carole
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It isn't easy, Carole......but it is fun! It's not helped that there are sites like the one below, which list items as Murano - there are four different coloured, smaller versions of yours if you scroll down - but do not give any information supporting the attribution.
http://www.americanchateau.com/content/SPG/Murano-Glass-Vases.html
At least this one, which is an 8" version and has the same base as yours, is described as "Murano style". There are lots of good pictures on the link, which might be helpful for comparison.
https://www.liveauctioneers.com/en-gb/item/73305012_a-vintage-italian-murano-style-apple-green-bubble-glass
Unfortunately, wear marks are not always the best indicator of age. Older pieces do not always have them - cabinet, or low use pieces, for example - and it has been known for signs of wear to be "enhanced".
That said, it's still a pretty piece and a good size at 11". If you only buy things you like, you can't go wrong!
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It's been awhile since I'd used Glass Message Board. So glad I got stumped (though that has happened frequently, dah.. ;D) and remembered the website. Yes, it's fun....and sooooo educational and rewarding.
Kind regards,
Carole
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Couple more possible mmakes. Rossi Glass in Canada made nice items in colour close to this. The other possible is Japan who are often mistaken for Murano. Typically the have a groundout pontil mark (usually polished, however).
Ross
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Thanks! I appreciate your taking the time to share the information. Will definitely check into possibilities.
Kind regards,
Carole