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Glass Identification - Post here for all ID requests => Glass => Topic started by: KSilverMoore on December 13, 2006, 09:39:21 PM

Title: Pink Opalescent Vase with Controlled Bubbles. Maker?
Post by: KSilverMoore on December 13, 2006, 09:39:21 PM
Does anyone have any idea what country this vase was made in or who may have made it?I haven't seen an opalescent vase with controlled bubbles before. Thanks!

Kristen
Title: Re: Pink Opalescent Vase with Controlled Bubbles. Maker?
Post by: Anne on December 13, 2006, 09:43:35 PM
Kristen can you post a picture of the vase please? We have nice easy help and how to instructions here. Someone may be able to help once they've seen it.  Thanks. :)
Title: Re: Pink Opalescent Vase with Controlled Bubbles. Maker?
Post by: KSilverMoore on December 13, 2006, 10:57:34 PM
Sorry! Here's the link!

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=200057783956
Title: Re: Pink Opalescent Vase with Controlled Bubbles. Maker?
Post by: Frank on December 13, 2006, 11:14:34 PM
Probably from a glass studio and probably US origin. Nice piece.
Title: Re: Pink Opalescent Vase with Controlled Bubbles. Maker?
Post by: butchiedog on December 14, 2006, 02:13:45 AM
Hi,

I'm not sure that you vase is an American studio artist piece, but looks more like some recent TJ-Maxx type close-out store items I have seen in those stores in the last few years, which are imported from China. --- Mike
Title: Re: Pink Opalescent Vase with Controlled Bubbles. Maker?
Post by: KSilverMoore on December 14, 2006, 05:32:30 AM
I know the exact kind of vases you are talking about. (I am a frequent shopper at TJ Maxx, but not for their glassware!) I don't think it is a TJ Maxx vase. It seems to be of a higher quality. Of course, I could be totally wrong, and I would like to know if I am!

Anyone else want to weigh in?
Title: Re: Pink Opalescent Vase with Controlled Bubbles. Maker?
Post by: Connie on December 14, 2006, 09:45:28 AM
My first thought was TJ Maxx also.  Next time you are in TJMaxx or Marshall's, check out their glass section.  You will be surprised at the quality and variety of glass.
Title: Re: Pink Opalescent Vase with Controlled Bubbles. Maker?
Post by: butchiedog on December 14, 2006, 02:30:45 PM
KSilverMoore,

Curious;  when you speak of "quality" it would help others if you would describe what you see as being quality about your item. Lots of folks say they see "quality" in defense of their item, but rarely say what that quality is. TJ-Maxx, Marshall's, Tuesday Mornings and many of those close-out type stores do sell a lot of well made glassware along with not so well made glassware. Waterford, Lalique and Daum are just a few names of the glass sold at those stores, so "quality" doesn't necessarily mean it couldn't have been sold at TJ-Maxx etc. While it's a nice looking vase color-wise etc., the ugly pontil scar on the bottom of your piece (IMOho) is not a sign of quality and is a common feature found on most of the Chinese imports sold at those stores. --- Mike
Title: Re: Pink Opalescent Vase with Controlled Bubbles. Maker?
Post by: Frank on December 14, 2006, 03:14:06 PM
The Chinese are starting to produce first class glass too. Just a shortage of information on it.
Title: Re: Pink Opalescent Vase with Controlled Bubbles. Maker?
Post by: butchiedog on December 14, 2006, 04:32:06 PM
Frank,

You are correct about the new Chinese glass. There is plenty of well made glass etc., coming from China these days. They have no environmental protection laws, the labor force is cheap, (some is free, forced prison labor) no worker benefits, and no on the job safety laws enacted, so the cost of production leaves a lot of headroom for inexpensively producing something of high quality that can't be made elsewhere, because of restrictions and costs. One of these days we're going to run out of this type of resource on earth and will have to look for some weaker than us aliens on another planet to make good things cheaply for us :-) --- Mike
Title: Re: Pink Opalescent Vase with Controlled Bubbles. Maker?
Post by: Frank on December 14, 2006, 04:47:08 PM
Quote from: butchiedog on December 14, 2006, 04:32:06 PM
... the labor force is cheap, (some is free, forced prison labor) no worker benefits, and no on the job safety laws enacted...

Sounds like the way the UK is going these days too. I think we will create our own subspecies... probably call them the 'Avenotians'. Glass has always been a bit over the enviromental edge.

But the quality of finish on this piece is consistent with much studio production, not everyone grinds off the pontil remnants completely. Is there any sign of age wear on this piece Kristen?
Title: Re: Pink Opalescent Vase with Controlled Bubbles. Maker?
Post by: KSilverMoore on December 17, 2006, 10:36:41 PM
Actually, all of this has been very interesting to read. I've been out of town and without internet access, which is why I haven't chimed in earlier.

Honestly, my reason for saying I didn't think it was TJ Maxx quality is because I spend a lot of my time at auctions, thrift stores, antique stores, and junk shops, and this particular vase just seemed special to me. The fact that it only cost me $1.91 didn't hurt either. I liked it so much I almost decided to keep it in my own collection, so if it doesn't sell, maybe it was meant to be mine. Anyway, I've had the honor of holding a lot of quality pieces of glass in my hand, both antique pieces and newer art glass, and I've gotten to the point where EAPG practically just jumps off the shelves into my hands at thrift shops, and though I can't always tell what will sell on ebay, I can usually tell when a piece of glass is a worthwhile investment. (Though I hate to put it in those terms.)

At the same time, I am definitely NOT an expert. I've only been collecting glass for six years and my husband and I have only been selling on Ebay for a few months. I also have a few TJ Maxx type glass pieces that we got in a box lot at an auction, and I knew at sight that they were nothing special. I wish I could put into words what makes those pieces stand out as TJ Maxx type glass, whereas this piece did not strike me this way, but I can't.

Also, I have been under the impression that a rough pontil mark is not always indicative of a poorer quality glass. Any thoughts?

At any rate, one of my good friends is a glass artist in Washington state, so maybe I should ask her what she thinks of this little vase. Thanks for your input!
Title: Re: Pink Opalescent Vase with Controlled Bubbles. Maker?
Post by: Frank on December 18, 2006, 09:03:35 AM
A rough pontil mark on its own means nothing. Other than that the maker did not grind it down - perhaps they did not own a grinder.
Title: Re: Pink Opalescent Vase with Controlled Bubbles. Maker?
Post by: Ivo on December 18, 2006, 09:47:18 AM
Quote from: Frank on December 18, 2006, 09:03:35 AM
A rough pontil mark on its own means nothing. Other than that the maker did not grind it down - perhaps they did not own a grinder.

There are several possible reasons for leaving a piece unfinished:
  • 1. Outfit is so small they do not own grinder (mainly American studio)
    2. Production is so cheap the additional operation is skimped on (mainland China, Poland)
    3. "That rustic feel" (may be a combination of 1 and 2)
    4. the piece is a second