Topic: new versions of older glass vases

[chopin-liszt]

 :smg:

I go on "loving it" too. I've learned to trust my guts. They have served me well!

But learning about as much of the stuff as I can teaches my guts more.

[Lustrousstone]

It's all of it, but not necessarily in equal measure. If you are buying for research or to sell on you start with the knowledge-based gut reaction then add in the assessment before yay or nay. Here the assessment is important and can mean the difference between loss and profit, buy or leave. If you are buying to keep, you start with the heart-based reaction, then you consider the knowledge-based assessment. If you don't care about its failings that's fine.

Yesterday I bought a horrible brown, vaguely streaky looking paperweight. My knowledge guts knew what it was before I assessed it, but I'm never going to love it. It's a Malta Decorative Glass PW with a label and sand-blasted for Malta Insurance Co. Ltd, neither of which I could see before I knew I was going to buy it. It's uncommon and a research item so it will stay.

[Paul S.]

thanks       I certainly don't envy those who are collecting contemporary high end pieces - because I get the impression it is precisely that material which is giving the most difficulty  -  an almost complete lack of age related factors  -  and then yes, you do need to have a mind's eye full of images in order to make a worthwhile assessment.    I would have agreed with you on the Loetz jug and tumbler, so full marks to Craig.    As a collector only, I'm obsessed with originality, and combined with the areas in which I collect, have perhaps an easier job than some, and have no objection to reasonable wear  -  even to the point that I find it comforting to see signs that something has been around for a while, although I appreciate there are those who avoid the slightest mark.      I had also thought of Murano for the lamp base, with this 'bullicante' effect of the bubbles  -  but have learned to be a little cautious in making attribtions in areas of scant knowledge, and yes, agree fittings attached in the U.K.

[chopin-liszt]

The best place to get hold of high-end contemporary glass is to get it directly from the makers who go to the fairs.
 :thup: :thup: :thup:

[Paul S.]

and here's me sympathizing with what I thought was your penury

[chopin-liszt]

My position of "distressed gentlewoman" is fairly recent.  

[Anne]

Paul, your lamps may be Seguso... compare with those in this topic...
http://www.glassmessages.com/index.php/topic,4048.0.html and this one:
http://www.glassmessages.com/index.php/topic,40707.0.html

[Frank]

I had in fact just typed a reply, although Sue just pipped me to the post.    I do appreciate that a comprehensive overview quite obviously gives a better all round knowledge of glass - no one would doubt that  -  and the more I re-read the comments on this thread am coming to the conclusion that this issue is more a case of modern quality production versus modern cheaper copies of similar designs, I could be wrong of course.           However, indulge me........I will post what I had in fact typed, as feel still has some relevance.
Actually, this is third attempt  -  m just pushed me out again. :thud:

"It's probably a disadvantage if someone is in the habit of buying material similar to those pieces mentioned already - from what I hear much of this seems to be copied (although haven't been in TK Maxx for years).     Don't know about others, but I always (consciously or otherwise) assess every piece I buy, and have made few mistakes (when determining whether new/old) in comparison with the quantity bought.      Although it's rare for me to know exactly what it is that I'm buying, I almost always know that it has age is not recent - I'd envy anyone who knew always exactly what they were buying at the time of the deal.        Perhaps it is just that there is far less copying of the type of glass that I collect.  But coming back to the point about 'reading' a piece of glass for clues.              The attached pictures are of a clear/blue tinted, ribbed/wrythen bubbled smallish lamp base, with bottom hole, from yesterday morning's boot sale: cost £1.         I was assessing........old style brass, stained, fittings (with ceramic insert saying MEM Made in England), and attached with plaster of paris), bakelite on/off switch (showing much wear from use), noticable wear/small chips to lamp base, abrasion to the outer sides of the ribs, dirt/grime lodged deeply between the ribs, and the flex (now removed) heavily nocotine stained.      Haven't a clue as to origin, or exact date, but based on age related factors am thinking somewhere between 1940 and 1960, and although (probably) of no value, quite attractive.      HOWEVER, if this had plastic fittings, no age related wear, etc. etc. I would simply have left behind  -  the point being..................that originality always has a greater value than a cheap copy.        I'm well aware that these comments are slightly off topic re the subject heading, but the point is you don't need to be a Phd. from the V. & A. to begin making common sense assessments of most pieces of glass (to determine age, not necessarily attribution) and it really does get better the longer you collect.     To never make any effort to understand the difference between old and new - simply because it's deemed necessary to have an encyclopedic knowledge of glass plus many years of collecting experience, is to miss a great part of the enjoyment.   Incidentally, anyone recognize my lamp base (and please don't say it's  :or:)  - and apologies for putting pictures on someone else's thread."          

Your fitting is more likely 20s/30s/40s but is could have been old fitting stock when base was produced.

[Paul S.]

Looks like you are spot on Anne  -  my sincere thanks for your help   -  and the base is identical, with the slight 'cut out' on one side through which to channel the flex - just a shame that I don't have the label.    It seems that I was in the right area date wise, and maybe worth a little more than the £1. purchase price, so I will definitely keep.    My thanks again.    Frank may well be correct about the old fitting stock going onto a more recent base, I'm unsure of the date line for changing from metal fittings to plastic ones, although would have thought not too much later than the date of this base perhaps.

[Frank]

Plastic fittings came in in the 1920s and metal fittings are still in use. So not really a changeover just different manufacturing techniques, styles and so forth. But at least these are reasonably consistent and progressive, making dating easier than with glass.