Posted 8 years ago
artfoot
(367 items)
By the accounts I've read, the first jack-in-the-pulpit style vase was created by Stevens & Williams in the mid-1850s but the name wasn't applied until used by Louis Comfort Tiffany in the 1890s. When the name became associated with the various aroids (common calla lily is possibly the most familiar though not the most colorful aroid) called that in the gardening trade is a little more vague, but Tiffany surely had them in mind. In comparison to the plants, the vases are all pulpit and no jack.
JIP vases have been created by a great number of glassmakers, from the large to the small, with varying degrees of technical ability. Those made by Becraft and Smith's Old Timer in Fort Smith, Arkansas are technically pretty simple but still charming.
These vases vary in height between 7 1/2" to 7 3/4". The bases, blown into cup-like molds, are a consistent 2" in diameter. Some are marked Smith's Old Timer, some are not. Smith's and Becraft were closely related and many of their products are nearly identical when not marked.
The final picture shows profiles of the Smith's JIP on the left with Becraft on the right. Not an absolute rule but a general indicator is the Smith's lips extend straight out whereas the Becraft lips are turned down.
WOW ! Just WOW !
Ditto bb2,WOW, great write up.
Regards
Alan
Thanks to everyone.
love the colors and shapes on these!!!