Posted 9 years ago
kairomalte
(87 items)
My vase shown in photo 1 exhibits a wonderful décor, that often gave rise to discussions of ist assignment. Just recently CW member 'bohemianglassandmore' posted a likewise pair of vases at CW, his post is the reason for my discourse. Here I try to present a series of photos, hopefully demonstrating convincingly it's Kralik origin. I take advantage, that Kralik produced vases of the same shape throughout for many years with differing décors. The vase on photo 2 has the same décor and a very similar shape - besides the foot - as my Vase 1. The very same shape is seen on the next two documented Kralik vases, the red vase with a feather décor may be seen at the Passau Glass Museum and it is illustrated in 'Das Boehmische Glas 1700-1950' vol. IV page 162 fig.277, as well as the etched vase, shown in photo 4 (kindly taken from a CW post by Jericho) documented in the same book at page 163 fig.281. As this assignment is solely based on shape similarity, there remains always some ambiguity.
Like you Kai, I have looked at this décor for quite a few years. I have hoped to see it on a different shape to help confirm an attribution. It seems to come on the shape in the first image most often, a shorter version of that shape, and the shape in your second image. Having seen these pics previously, I do have to say that although I agree there are some very strong similarities, I have always felt that there are also just enough differences that I would like to see additional example in a different shape to help completely make up my mind.
Craig, of course I remember our discussions about this assignment using the same photos some years ago and I would have liked to have more examples, too, nevertheless I wanted to show this possible décor assignment to a larger audience, hoping there might be additional informations available. The main problem lies in the fact, that the latter two vases - definitely Kralik - have four tips at the mouth, whereas the vase in question show three tips only. I would like to comment onto this fact. At first the general ovoid shape, made by blowing into one mould, seems to be the very same in the last three examples - I never found this unique shape by any other glass factory - now in each case the mouth is hand shaped, here into 3 or 4 tips, a variation one could find examples in many handblown vases of bohemian origin. This might be a possible explanation for the observed differences, especially as this mould seemed to be used for many years.
Kai, I agree with everything you point out here.... I was simply adding commentary on the pieces. I have leaned towards Kralik for the attribution of this décor since we discussed it many years ago.... but have never quite managed to cross the finish line on this one. :-) I would be thrilled if another example surfaced.