posted on August 16, 2003 04:26:39 PM new
I have this ruby glass bottle that is hand blown. I know that it is old, but not quite sure how old. I know next to nothing about glass. It stands 5-3/4" tall. Any ideas on where I should start it at or age? Would you call it a vase or a bottle? It's really a stunning piece. Wish I knew more about glass!
Cheryl
Power to the people. Power to the people, right on. - John Lennon
[ edited by CBlev65252 on Aug 16, 2003 04:27 PM ]
Can't help with some of your questions, but I might suggest you get a shot or 2 of light coming through the glass. This does look like it's very nice and if you pick a nice day and let some sunlight shine through... I think you'll even impress yourself with what kind of pics you can get.
One trick is to find a nice window sill, place some white fabric (like the kind you have there already) up to the window (pin or tape it up high). Then set the glass object up on the window and crop out anything distracting when you process your images.
posted on August 16, 2003 04:41:24 PM new
Great suggestion, Wayne. I do have a window that catches the morning light, which is where the piece normally sits. It casts red in parts of the livingroom when the sun comes through it.
Cheryl
Power to the people. Power to the people, right on. - John Lennon
posted on August 16, 2003 05:00:15 PM new
Unfortunately, it's hard to date art glass unless it's signed. A clue to it's age MIGHT be shelf wear on the base, but some unscrupulous people even add the wear.
We have an Italian Community Center in Milwaukee. In the center is a gift shop that has loads of Murano and Venice glassware. It's all new imported glass, but if the labels were removed, you'd swear it was vintage 1950's. The multi-colored clown and animal figurines are exact copies of earlier pieces.
Whatever vintage the piece is that you have, it's very pretty.
There is a fine line between "hobby" and "mental illness."
posted on August 16, 2003 05:16:16 PM new
Wow, it pays to have a loop when you wear bifocals. There is an etched signature. It looks like MMA. This is the best pic I could get:
Sorry it's not so great. Could it be Metropolitan Museum of Art by the Imperial Glass Co?
Cheryl
Power to the people. Power to the people, right on. - John Lennon
[ edited by CBlev65252 on Aug 16, 2003 05:19 PM ]
posted on August 16, 2003 05:35:07 PM new
I'm doing the happy dance. Why? Because I figured it out. With a little help from my friends. Now, does anyone know where I can find out when the Imperial Glass Co. may have made this? I've check Google with no luck.
Cheryl
Power to the people. Power to the people, right on. - John Lennon
posted on August 16, 2003 07:09:11 PM new
Cheryl,
Most likely made during the late 1970's - early 1980's. May not have been made by Imperial, as other glass companys also did work for the museum.
It appears from your pictures that it is ribbed inside. If it is, research under melon ribbed bottle.
There is a fine line between "hobby" and "mental illness."
We've had a number of Metropolitan Museum of Art reproductions (marked "MMA" but not labeled as reproductions and not dated.) These are right on the edge of unacceptable. They are beautiful pieces, clearly marked, but they could still fool a novice.
By doing a quick Google search I see that many items are marked in raised letters MMA, in the mold. I haven't searched on etched MMA.
posted on August 17, 2003 08:26:42 AM new
Geeze, fluffythewondercat, just what problem do you have with me? I don't recall asking for a spelling lesson. Sorry I'm not as perfect as you. No, I'm not sorry, I'm glad. Puts me in the human category.
Edited to correct a spacing error. Wouldn't want to be blasted for that.
Cheryl
Power to the people. Power to the people, right on. - John Lennon
[ edited by CBlev65252 on Aug 17, 2003 08:27 AM ]
posted on August 17, 2003 08:56:19 AM newSince it is blown glass, the MMA would not be raised. The raised letters would have been part of a mold.
I understand what you mean, Cheryl. Perhaps I didn't make myself clear. What I meant was that when I did I quick search on Google all I saw for MMA were raised marks, like on newer dolphin candlesticks that were done in a mold and were originally done by Sandwich Glass.
Yes, blowing glass into a mold is an old technique.
BTW, here is a site I found with brief descriptions of how glass is made and with names and techniques that are helpful to know.
posted on August 17, 2003 08:57:55 AM new
Thanks, kiara. Glad we straightened that out. At least you knew what I meant! Thanks for the site. Will be sure to read up.
Cheryl
Power to the people. Power to the people, right on. - John Lennon
posted on August 17, 2003 10:59:17 AM new
Darn these public forums, anyway. There must be someplace a person can go to post whatever factually incorrect, false, misleading or contradictory statements they like without fear of criticism.
However, since it IS a public forum, and very occasionally I care about the subject matter at hand, whenever I have time I point out such falsehoods and inconsistencies.
That you, Cheryl, have had such things pointed out to you is simply a by-product of the unhappy fact that you make more factually incorrect, false, misleading or contradictory statements than anyone else in this forum.
As far as spelling errors go, in public forums such as this they are self-perpetuating. A reader sees "loupe" spelled as "loop" and assumes that's correct since it certainly sounds right. However, getting it right is one of those little indicators that tells the world at large that an educated person is speaking.
I am not a bathtub full of brightly-colored machine tools on Vendio.
posted on August 17, 2003 11:45:00 AM new
As I pointed out at the start of this thread, I know nothing about glass. That is why I asked the question. I did not pretend to know anything. I know that it is hand blown because the person who gave it to me does know glass. Unfortunately, he is out of town buying. Put me on ignore, fluffythewondercat. Now that I would appreciate.
Cheryl
Power to the people. Power to the people, right on. - John Lennon
posted on August 17, 2003 12:40:20 PM new
I like the red borders on the photos.
Now here is a FWC question:
Who invented the "modern" jewelers loupe?
After molto moves across three continents, I look at glass as tooo breakable to fall in love. Beads, well, I haven't broken one yet!
j
~~~~~~~~~~~**~~~~~~~~~~~
All the monkeys aren't in the zoo,
Every day you meet quite a few,
So you see it's all up to you.
You can be better than you are,
You could be swingin' on a star
posted on August 17, 2003 05:51:01 PM new
Oh Brother!! Fluffy...."However, getting it right is one of those little indicators that tells the world at large that an educated person is speaking."
Not really, all it "tells" is that you know how to spell "loupe".
