Topic: Glassblower working in Rotorua in 1975

[ahremck]

I have recently come across a large glass vase that the seller claims he bought in 1975 as a wedding present for a friend.  He says that it was made & bought in Rotorua.  My knowledge of NZ makers is minimal.  Any clues - the vase(34 cms high) is not marked in any way.  It does not look at all like a commercial piece so I suspect his story is correct.

Ross

PS   Sorry no photos.

[Anne]

Could be tricky without pictures, but a read through Angela Bowey's book New Zealand Glass might be fruitful. [ISBN 0-473-06238-0, published by OAR Publishing, New Zealand, 2005];  plus have a read through Angela's NZ glass page on the Glass Encyclopedia here: http://www.glassencyclopedia.com/NewZealandglass.html (book info is on the same page lower down.)

[gaspy1]

There were only 3 or 4 glass blowers working in NZ in 1975, and none of them were in Rotorua (which had no appropriate fuel for a furnace then).  Some of them may have sold work in Rotorua, though 34 cms is at the upper range of what was being produced then.  I am sceptical, but I'll be happy to look at a photo if one is available

[ahremck]

I have 4 photos and would be very happy if they remind you of someone.  I know it was not made by Keith Mahe - I actually showed him photos when I met him early this year.

Ross

[gaspy1]

No, not Keith Mahy, nor Tony Kuepfer (who had just arrived in NZ), Mel Simpson, who hadn't returned from the US or Peter Viesnik who hadn't started.  Reg Kempton had been blowing for some years (in the South Island), but this is much too sophisticated for his work.  I'm afraid it doesn't ring any bells at all.  There were the 'industrial' blowers at Crown Crystal in Christchurch (where Keith Mahy was chief designer), the Philips factory in Naenae and Hokitika Glass (ex Christchurch).  But this doesn't look like any of their work that I have seen either. I'm afraid I remain sceptical.