Posted 8 years ago
artfoot
(367 items)
Here is a pair of vases that also have "Welz-like" colors. By my reckoning, these would be 1970s vintage. The foil labels came into common use then. Also the 1970s saw a resurgence in the national confidence of the Japanese. They were able to compete equally in the global markets. This confidence is clearly reflected in the exported glass ware as the designs became less imitative. The inspiration of Bohemian and Italian glass craft can be seen in this pair but they are also very unlike either of those and even without the labels, they would be hard to mistake as anything but Japanese glass. These triangular vases stand just under 7 1/2" (18.8 cm) tall. The base is a 2 1/2" (6.3 cm) per side equilateral triangle with an in-mold depression that gives the impression of a polished pontil. They live up to the company name - Superior Hand Craft Glassware.
"Kralik-like" colours too!
Really like their modernist shape and style. Great pair.
Thanks Peggy - probably more Kralik than Welz :+)
So accomplished in production too Harry. Unfortunately for Japan, their glass was cheap, and based on that and the occasional poorer quality piece, it was not regarded as highly as it deserved. That's my (biased) view, anyway.
I love these two; beautiful shape and colour.
I have to say that I am never keen on a cut lip, and really appreciate that Japanese glass moved to flame finished rims. That finishing touch.
I think that time will erase apprehension about the status of this glass. The reasons for its existence just need to be accepted. It was a commodity and not necessarily an artistic expression. Forgive me if this is an American comparison but I think of it as similar to Depression glass in how it fits into scheme of things.
I should add - that comparison doesn't apply to all Japanese glass, only the early exported glass.