Share your favorites on Show & Tell

20th Century Japanese glass

In Art Glass > Show & Tell and Asian > Japanese Antiques > Show & Tell.
Japanese Glass12 of 531Vintage vase Japanese Czech - style glass vases
10
Love it
0
Like it

auraaura loves this.
sklo42sklo42 loves this.
IvonneIvonne loves this.
IronLaceIronLace loves this.
CaperkidCaperkid loves this.
fortapachefortapache loves this.
vetraio50vetraio50 loves this.
freiheitfreiheit loves this.
welzebubwelzebub loves this.
AnnaBAnnaB loves this.
See 8 more
Add to collection

    Please create an account, or Log in here

    If you don't have an account, create one here.


    Create a Show & TellReport as inappropriate


    Posted 7 years ago

    artfoot
    (367 items)

    Prior to the 20th Century, glass making in Japan was not an important industry. They just had little use for it. Even the now ubiquitous Japanese fishing floats are a 20th Century development. "Art glass" was generally of the cut crystal (Edo kiriko) type made for export and for the very wealthy. World War I changed everything. Japan's light industry was geared up and eager to fill the void created by European shortages. This sort of glass ware was not really a product meant for domestic consumption in Japan. It was generally made for foreign markets. America and the United Kingdom got the bulk of it. As the European goods returned to American markets after the war, Japanese goods began getting the reputation of "cheap imitations".

    This initial surge of Western imports soon dried up as political issues interfered. World War II found Japan and most of the rest of the world on opposing sides. When the war ended, Japan's industry and economy needed major rebuilding. Leading the way in this recovery were the surviving ceramic and glass manufacturers. Another surge of exports began in the early 1950s.

    As I understand it, much of the 1950's glass exports were the same as, or very similar to, the 1930s glass, so, at least for now, it is difficult to accurately date. By the 1960s, importer's stickers and changing styles begin to clarify (at least) the dating. Tracking down the actual makers of these pieces is in its infancy. These pieces most likely date from one of those early surges.

    1 - Vase, multicolor spatter, 15 cm (just under 6"), acid stamp mark. (1930s?)
    2 - Pair, multicolor spatter, taller vase is 15 cm (6"), clear added base impressed JAPAN; shorter vase is 12 cm (4 3/4"), black added base, unmarked. (1950s?)
    3 - Small vase with light spatter, added black base, 9 cm (3 1/2"), unmarked. (1930s?)
    4 - Bud vase, striated blue with added black base, 17.5 cm (7"), impressed circular mark. (1930s?)

    logo
    Art Glass
    See all
    Vintage LE Smith Art Glass Bittersweet Orange MCM Swung Large Floor Vase 25.25
    Vintage LE Smith Art Glass Bittersw...
    $164
    Vintage LE Smith Art Glass Bittersweet Orange MCM Swung Large Floor Vase 21
    Vintage LE Smith Art Glass Bittersw...
    $200
    Fenton Uranium Jack in the Pulpit Art Glass Vase
    Fenton Uranium Jack in the Pulpit A...
    $51
    Lot Of 2 HTF Vintage MCM Viking Glass Ebony Epic Long Tailed Bird 9.5-10
    Lot Of 2 HTF Vintage MCM Viking Gla...
    $127
    logo
    Vintage LE Smith Art Glass Bittersweet Orange MCM Swung Large Floor Vase 25.25
    Vintage LE Smith Art Glass Bittersw...
    $164
    See all

    Comments

    1. artfoot artfoot, 7 years ago
      Thank you Thomas.
    2. racer4four racer4four, 7 years ago
      Excellent post thanks Harry.
      I do have some thoughts on who made what but they are just thoughts at this stage, and need some more evidence.
    3. artfoot artfoot, 7 years ago
      Thanks Karen - you have a big head start on me with the knowledge you already have about Japanese glass. I look forward to learning from you.

    Want to post a comment?

    Create an account or login in order to post a comment.