Posted 10 years ago
racer4four
(620 items)
This is only the second piece of Toyo hand made glass that I have seen, and I think that it dates from around the 1980s.
Toyo Glass has a very long history, but it's production has been mainly focused on mould blown glass such as tumblers, plates and other serving ware.
Founded by Magoichi Shimada as Shimada Glass in 1888 the company went from strength to strength through the 20th century, and established itself as a major supplier to Japan, and post WW2 the US, of utility glassware.
Renamed Toyo Seikan Kaisha (Oriental Can Manufacturing Company) in 1953, and then Shin Toyo Glass (New Oriental Glass) in 1957, the company eventually merged with Sasaki Glass in 2002 to make the huge company TSG (Toyo Sasaki Glass).
I don't know how Toyo got into hand made glass as it seems well outside it's oeuvre, but this large vase is nicely made, and has a beautiful raspberry/grey colouring with overlaid black.
To be honest if it had not had the Toyo sticker on it I would never have attributed it to Toyo.
Lovely and interesting !
Height 22cm (8.5in)
I hope you are all getting a better idea of how many long standing glass companies have and still exist in Japan, and how good their products can be!
I don't think we have appreciated their history and their skill as we have other glass makers (yep, call me a zealot!).
It really is very beautiful, KAREN.
Love the metallic foil overlay.
I find Toyo alot here in Indy. Always beautiful & affordable. Last Toyo I had dropped into pieces. This happens too often for me. I also love most Toyo pieces I find. Thanks for sharing it.
Thanks Kevin.
I see lots of gold metallic overlay's in Japanese glass but rarely black.
Thanks too Catteann.
I am interested in your comment about Toyo glass where you are.
They must have done more than I thought, possibly just didn't export much here to Australia.
gorgeous...stunning you lucky thing!
Indeed I am Anne. Thanks!
Just saw your comment, I'm in Indianapolis. I've found much Too pottery here in Indy. Have yet to find Glass Toyo.
Oops darn spell check I've found many Toyo pottery pieces.
Thanks Catteann.
It seems that Toyo has been used for a number of import/export companies so your vases may be unrelated.
The very knowledgeable Jim (jwendell22) gave some info about them here in this post:
http://www.collectorsweekly.com/stories/132036-beautiful-toyo-japanese-kutani-satsuma
I found your lovely vase and comments while researching a vase I picked up in a thrift store. It has the same label seen on yours here. From what I've read TOYO Glass is a Japanese company. Then I looked into the history of Taiwan and it was a colony of Japan in the late 1800s into the 1940s. In April 1952 as the result of WWII, Japan formally withdrew its rule over Taiwan. Taiwan came under the rule of Republic of China (i.e. independent). Likely many of you will know more about the history 9f Taiwan. My point is wouldnt these vases - yours & mine be from 1878 - 1940s (possibly as late as April 1952 but no later). I'm trying to determine value and I need to determine age for a starting place. Thank you for any guidance and/or input.