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Kurata, made for Mikasa, cased glass vase with mica flecks

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Japanese Glass36 of 531Tajmia Crystal square vaseKurata Craft Glass vase
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    Posted 5 years ago

    kwqd
    (1166 items)

    This vase is about 6.5" high x 4" wide. The first image is the closest to the true color which is blood red. The vase is ground flat on top and ground and polished on the bottom. Based on the article below, guessing it was made 1960s-1980s.

    This is the best article that I have found about the history of Mikasa.

    http://www.fundinguniverse.com/company-histories/mikasa-inc-history/

    "Unlike many of its competitors, the company did not own manufacturing facilities. Instead, Mikasa contracted out designs to approximately 175 factories in 25 countries. Production was concentrated in Germany and Austria, where 30 percent of the company's merchandise was manufactured."

    This vase has its original label which reads:

    "MIKASA
    HAND CRAFTED
    BY KURATA
    JAPAN"

    This is the second of five labeled Japanese art glass pieces I am buying as part of my initial foray into learning about Japanese art glass. I already have a few pieces of Kurata glass but wanted to see the quality of its contract glass. I wasn't certain that this vase was going to qualify as art glass, based on the fact that it was apparently mass produced by Kurata for Mikasa. Two things decided me to assess it as art glass. First, I found only two examples of this vase after an extensive Google search and a search of various major auction sites, so it was apparently not produced in large quantities. Guessing this may have been a higher quality item, hence higher priced and lower production volume. One interesting thing I did find as a result of that search is that this vase was also made in black, but with an inner layer of black glass. I also found several single examples of differently shaped versions of vases in black and blue which suggests they may have also been produced in red (and other colors?). Second, the quality is very high, with multiple time intensive finishing, grinding and polishing operations. This vase is quite heavy for its size, a substantial piece. I welcome opinions on my conclusions.

    I am probably going to have to cheat a bit to buy five labeled pieces of Japanese art glass for $100 by not including shipping costs. This vase was $12 plus $8 shipping and the Kurata sake set was also $12 and $8 shipping, so the total, so far is $24 for two pieces. I have a pretty great piece coming that I paid $44 for with free shipping. I may see what the shipping cost is on the box when it comes and subtract that from the $44. Cheater! The new piece is Hineri by Iwatsu.

    I eventually found numerous versions of different shaped vases in this style in blue and black, so they were probably also made in red.

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    Comments

    1. welzebub welzebub, 5 years ago
      These are nicely made pieces of glass. I have to laugh every time I see one though.

      Back in mid 2012 in this forum there was a huge push by a small group of people to bombard the forum with Ruckl attributions, almost all based on artwork that really was not meant to be used that way. There were all kinds of mistakes made.

      One of the discussions that occurred was around a piece of this red Mikasa in a different shape, and "Team Ruckl" swore up and down it was Ruckl production. Many people in the forum fought hard that it was. I still chuckle every time I see one of these....
    2. welzebub welzebub, 5 years ago
      I would add that it is a great find with the label. This is only the second or third example I have seen with the label still on it.
    3. kwqd kwqd, 5 years ago
      @Broochman - Thanks for the nice compliment!

      @welzbub - I don't know enough about many things, especially Bohemian and Japanese glass, to get involved in spirited discussions, so I just watch silently from a distance! Thanks for the background and comments. Love Labels!

      @Ms.CrystalShip - Thanks for your comment! I wish I could capture the exact shade of red in my photos. It is even more vibrant than shown. Still struggling with my new, fancy camera, so most of my images still come from my phone!

      Thanks for loving my Kurata vase!

      DuDa
      welzebub
      Ms.CrystalShip
      Vynil33rpm
      Ivonne
      Broochman
      aura
      vetraio50
    4. kwqd kwqd, 5 years ago
      Thanks for loving my Kurata vase blunderbuss2, fortapache and Watchsearcher!
    5. kwqd kwqd, 5 years ago
      Thanks for loving my vase Jenni and MALKEY!
    6. racer4four racer4four, 5 years ago
      Great find Kevin! Not a huge production by Kurata and it’s great to see the sticker.
      As you say, like all Kurata, it’s quality glass.
      Tomic Kurata told me Kurata made for Mikasa for two decades, lots of pressed glass, less of this blown glass. It’s all hand made and finished.
    7. kwqd kwqd, 5 years ago
      Thanks Karen! You definitely need to make certain your knowledge is recorded somewhere.

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