Topic: Displaying colourless or cut glass - views

[astrid]

I wouldn't say I prefer colourless, but I have a lot of it. At a certain point when I started to collect German glass, I moved towards Peill & Putzler and Nachtmann, and most of their truly striking pieces are colourless. However I do prefer pieces that are well textured. The sort of simple clear pieces that became the norm for cheap flower vases from the 80's onwards don't really work for me.

I think I was sold when I saw one of these big bold Strombergshyttan Viking ship pieces up close. These big bold chunky crystal pieces really blow me away.

Displaying them can be somewhat of a problem so I can't really add much to that question, because they don't look so well against my white glass curtains, but that doesn't diminish the beauty. I can't resist showing a few pieces that I love, even if they don't photograph well (well at least, I can't seem to find a good way...)

Fltr: Strombergshyttan, Peill & Putzler, Nachtmann, Nachtmann

Astrid

[langhaugh]

Interesting pieces and beautiful, Astrid.

Thanks to M for starting this thread as it it has got me thinking anew about glass.  I've found I've gone back and reviewed my colourless glass with renewed appreciation.

David

[Anik R]

Astrid, I'm happy to see you back... you've been missed.

Colourless glass is my favourite when it comes to pressed and cut pieces. Put against a dark background, they look beautiful.  They don't need an injection of colour or other excitement.  They simply are what they are. 

Coloured glass, on the other hand, looks best against white or clear... if I could do it over again, I'd have white or clear glass shelving units for my Skrdlovice, and the shelves would be lit in such a way to bring out the colours of the glass.  Maybe one day.

[beaubow]

Here's a quick shot of the bow window at the moment.  Things are rather haphazard and I really need to clean and completely rearrange everything (there are some larger pieces that really should be in the window and some smaller ones which shouldn't).

[beaubow]

Left side detail.

Left to right:

Kosta milk glass skull votive candleholder (recent production)
Kosta candlesticks
Verlys Gems vase (bought because it has a turned wooden replacement foot)
Libbey Nash vase (with a small Orrefors vase behind)
Kosta head on iron stand
Tiffany & Co candlesticks (there was a discussion of this pattern here recently, can't remember the name)
Kosta Owl
Kosta Lion
Steuben Urn (barely visible)
Large Green American studio glass vase (can't remember the maker at the moment)

[chopin-liszt]

 :pb:
I have to confess that my eyes automatically went straight to the Verlys - the colour brings out the fantastic texture so well - I struggled a bit to make out any of the clear stuff!

[beaubow]

Right side, detail.

Left to Right:

Green studio glass vase
TW Iitala bark vase
Orrefors eagle and elephant figures (obscured)
Blenko Joel Myers flat-topped cylinder vase
Baccarat Libert Bell relief (1/50 made, sadly slightly damaged)
Bennington Pottery "Asterisk" vase
Seaglas minature nude male and female vases (recent manufacture)
Orrefors votive holder

[beaubow]

:pb:
I have to confess that my eyes automatically went straight to the Verlys - the colour brings out the fantastic texture so well - I struggled a bit to make out any of the clear stuff!

The Verlys piece is crystal, but has a tan-colored wash on it. 

[chopin-liszt]

Really? I didn't know they came with a wash!
I've only ever seen them in a beautiful rosy amber and in opalescent glass - colour through and through!
(And I regret giving the rosy amber one to somebody who doesn't appreciate it enough. )

[flying free]

I love the Kosta head  :clap: and the zoo animals.
the Verlys vase is pretty amazing too.
The display looks good, it works beautifully against the window backdrop.
m