Posted 5 years ago
artfoot
(367 items)
Several theories have been floated about the particular import mark I'm calling the "smile" mark but the provenance has largely remained a puzzle. It appears on what seem to be definite spatter decors on mostly uncomplicated shapes but neither decors nor shapes have been directly affiliated with a particular glass house.
With those thoughts in my mind, I bid on and won this labeled vase. In the seller's description, it was mentioned that the original label was present but there were no details given. Of course I was hoping it would be a manufacturer's label. That bubble burst when the vase arrived. The label (as you can see in picture 2) is most of a foil sticker reading "Best Maid" and curiously, "Reg. U.S. Pat. Off." - apparently the label of a U.S.-based importer / retailer?
Oh well, I put it on the shelf and realized I had another piece with the same shape. Of course I expected it would have the same mark - but, NO. Here are two pieces that are exactly the same size, made with (using a phrase borrowed from "The Flight of The Phoenix") an "precisely similar" technique. They look like they were made to the same specifications yet they bear two different marks. Are there two companies copying each other? Are these two different marks used by the same company? Different time? Different site? Different marks for different buyers? I had faith in the marks. That bubble burst too. Now what?
It was a good lesson. The provenance marks may eventually be useful in attributions but they are not going to be a shortcut.
Both vases are about 8" (20.5 cm) tall.
Thanks everyone for the loves.
If anyone knows and would tell the Bestmaid story, I'd like to listen.
Haha, this in indeed the best kind of research... what it means- I don’t know yet but I’m starting large folders of all the marks, looking at 50-80 pieces at once may help