Posted 13 years ago
vetraio50
(751 items)
Another item that has mystified me for some time.
I bought it on ebay a few years back.
It looks Italian but I am not sure. The base has a ground pontil and the entire body was frosted nearly to the rim. The rim has been silvered and the top of the stopper has been silvered too.
I like the fact that you can see the bottom of the stopper through the clear glass.
In the "foro" (or hole) a ring of silver has been placed on the inside rim. Inside the ring an oval piece of amber has been suspended, it too surrounded in silver.
I'd be really grateful to hear any suggestions about its origins and your comments.
The whole process of putting silver on glass remains a mystery to me.
I know decanters are unpopular these days but I think they are still useful items, even though I've cut down considerably on the liqueurs and fortified wines. Old age is getting the better of me .....
Very cool piece. I second your thought about it being Italian. The center looks like the Eye of Sauron!
"The Eye was rimmed with fire, but was itself glazed, yellow as a cat's, watchful and intent, and the black slit of its pupil opened on a pit, a window into nothing."
Nice comment, thanks again!
Many thanks for your comment too, PhilDavidAlexanderMorris!
Chinese glass has been competing with western glass since Roman times.
At the moment we are in a transitional phase and contact again between East and West in Murano and other European glass centres will probably provide new and exciting glass. Here in Australia Chinese collectors are looking at pieces produced fairly recently and are collecting it with vigour. Some of it is not to my taste.
Mexico, Portugal and Estonia are all in there trying to make a buck.
But if it is good, buy it!
Those decaters at alibaba are certainly as cheap as chips.
Thanks BELLIN68 and scandinavian_pieces!
Many thanks for the hint BeauxPurdy. Listerine can very colourful, too!
Many thanks AGHCOLLECT!
Many thanks AIMATHENA!
Thanks SEAN!
Your welcome Kevin!!
Many thanks RENE !!!!!
Many thanks KWQD, WATCHSEARCHER & AURA !.!!!.!
Many thanks NEWFLD !.!.!.!
Many thanks SJMC & THOMAS !!.!!.!!