Description
SMALL DELICATE VASE THAT WAS IN MY WIFE'S GRANDMOTHER'S COLLECTION FOR YEARS. WE CALL IT A SILK VASE, BUT WE HAVE RESEARCHED IT AND CAN NOT FIND ANYTHING CLOSE TO IT. THE "SERVER" PAINTED ON VASE SEEMS TO BE PAINTED IN 17-18TH CENTURY CLOTHING. THE BASE IS NOT SMOOTH BUT ROUGH, LET ME BE CLEARER, THE INNER OF THE BASE IS ROUGH WHERE IT MIGHT HAVE BEEN BROKEN FROM THE BLOWER'S TUBE. HOLDING THE VASE UP TO THE LIGHT ONE CAN SEE A FEW BUBBLES IN THE VASE "WALLS". THE FIGURE IS HAND PAINTED ANS IS THE TIPS OR RIBBON ON THE TOP, VERY LIGHTLY. ANY INFORMATION IS APPRECIATED.
Re: BLUE SATIN GLASS VASE
Can you provide any additional information as to where it might have been collected? Where did Grandma live when she got it, for example? Getting it from England vs USA makes a big difference in possible manufacturers!
I am just starting into glassware collecting so take my comments with a grain of caution!
But that said, it looks very similar to an early style Fenton piece to me. I am not totally convinced though. The unfinished Pontil on the bottom is a bit of a surprise though. Normally those are ground down smooth and not left in the raw broken state you see here, unless done by a 'lesser' factory. I thought Fenton ground down all of the ones they produced.
Further, it looks in your photos that the image is actually a combination of acid etched with painted highlights for the boy. Feel gently, is it smooth paint or rougher etching? I don't recall any Fenton pieces being etched and painted both.
I suspect that this is from a local factory near (and near in relative terms!) where she bought it. I suspect it was based on Fenton's work / style, from the frilled top, painted design, and iridescence in the glass, probably in the 1950's / 60's.
Hope this helps!
Re: BLUE SATIN GLASS VASE
250 chief, thank you for your insight. my wife remembers her granny having this piece in the early 50's. my wife as a kid loved it and granny would have a heart attack if anyone went to touch it, saying that it was very, very old. She lived in southcentral Iowa all her life. Other than that , no other history. I do agree with the rough bottom, Fenton usually is smooth in my limited knowledge of things. It seems to be all painted and not etched at all. I did discover investigating this though, that they covered a bubble "glitch" with the boy's head! can't tell unless you really look and feel inside. intersting. thanks again jack
Re: BLUE SATIN GLASS VASE
No problem Jack!
You might try contacting either [email protected] or ISU Room 551 of Gilman Hall with photos (Sorry I don't have ISU's e-mail address for this, you will have to go through the university's main exchange to find out).
It is likely that they would be able to at least point you in the right direction for these pieces.
Given the ISU's mandate and function, I'd suggest that you are looking at a student's grad piece from that institution.
Re: BLUE SATIN GLASS VASE
Thanks again, at least i have a direction to go. ISU? Iowa ? Since that is where granny was from, I assume that! have a good one thanx again!
Re: BLUE SATIN GLASS VASE
Yes, your assumption is correct: ISU "Iowa State University"
Sorry, guess I should have spelled it out.
Good Luck!
Let us know what you find!