Arts & Crafts Era Bohemian Vase? No....

This is a post about a vase that is often attributed as being old and Bohemian, but it is not. I have wanted to document some information about these vases for a long while, so there is a clear understanding of who actually made these vases. I think it needs to be said, since over the years, I have come across them in all sorts of auctions for them, listed as antique Bohemian vases, often described as being of the arts and crafts era, and with some serious accompanying price tags! Even on a few glass forums, people sometimes confuse these with work by Kralik or other Bohemian makers.

Anyway, I believe that one source of the misattribution of these vases is due to an auction from March 2005 by a well known auction house, where a green form of this vase is described as Loetz and was estimated to sell for $250-$350. “Loetz vase, molded green glass with purple iridescence, applied copper band, unmarked, 7”h, one rivet missing”. I also think that the distressed metal handles, the caged style of the vase, and the iridescence of the glass also contribute to the idea that these are old.

So, who actually made it? These vases were made by the Silvesteri company, and handblown in Taiwan. I believe they were made in the 1990’s. As you can see from the images above, I have seen vases with both the tie-on labels and with stickers on the bottom. There is another version of this vase by Silvestri that is very similar in style, but taller and narrower. I hope this helps someone with a correct ID in the future. Maybe it will help out an auction house or two as well! ;)