Posted 3 years ago
Russell117
(98 items)
Gave myself a hernia dragging this through the house to photograph. Three casings of glass - clear over apricot over custard. Very, very heavy. 33 cms tall, 19 cms diameter across the ruffled top and 22 cms across the bulbous bottom half. Smooth polished pontil. Custard glass handles glow madly under a black light as does the vaseline opalescent flower and vine leaf applied work. The flower head is magnificently worked - all hand made. The thorn extrusions on the handles suggest to me that it is a rose. Purchased from a local dealer and I had to pay a bit to get it. Made in the last 15 years of the 19th century. I think it is Bohemian and from one of the bigger glass houses. It would take a whole chair of glassmakers to bring this one to conclusion. An extravagant shape which makes a statement when placed in a spot on its own. Had this beast for many, many years. Some slight damage to tips of feet - but what can you do? - when will you get another one?
This is absolutely stunning! I've been collecting Victorian glass for over 25 years & have never seen another vase like this. The colour combination is both unusual & delightful. I also think it is Bohemian...maybe Harrach or perhaps even an early Loetz piece in the "Barock" style. Colour combination & mixed colours in the pontil are also suggestive of a colour made by John Walsh Walsh called "Crushed Strawberry", though I've never seen any large pieces in that decor. Usually seen in small items - little double gourd shaped vases, rose bowls, & the like.
Thanks for sharing, you have a super collection indeed...
Spectacular Victorian vase, this is absolutely gorgeous in every way. You have a fabulous collection Russell117, delighted you are sharing it here :)
Thanks again IronLace for the nice comment. It would have to come from a first class glassmaker, but where exactly? Some have suggested that similar types were produced in England and Bohemia. I hope we get a definitive answer sooner rather than later. I think the European manufacturers exported a lot of glass and I wonder how much imitation went on to satisfy what the market wanted? If only the vase was signed - I've looked!
Thanks, Newfld for your appreciative comment. It certainly creates interest. The flowers being hand made, must have taken longer to form and apply than the pressed, stylized flowers. For this reason I think it could be an earlier piece. We have it in our lounge room and you see it directly as you enter the room. It commands attention.