Posted 7 years ago
IronLace
(926 items)
Hand vases form a very large component of my collection, so I will be gradually adding images of them over the coming weeks & months.
This example is one of my favourites. It is made from two layers of cased glass - an unusual shade of pinkish - mauve over a white interior. The vase measures 23 cm tall, 12.5 cm across the widest point of the double crimped top rim, & 6.5 cm across the base. It features decoration that makes use of a mix of cold painting, enamelling, & gilding, in an attractive colour scheme of blue - violet, turquoise, & white.
Of Bohemian origin.
Hand vases were made by numerous manufacturers in Europe, England, & the USA...also in carnival glass in India during the 20th century.
The typical form of a hand holding a cornucopia style vase evolved in the mid 19th century, with the first examples being made from Parian porcelain. Glass makers soon adopted the style, they continued to be made for well over a century...the most recent ones were made by Fenton as late as the early 21st century.
Hand vases are found in a wide variety of colours & sizes. Most are right handed, so left handed specimens are quite difficult to find. A matched pair composed of right & left hands is particularly rare - I do have one such pair, purchased separately.
It's a very detailed vase, with the sleeve and jewellery beautifully decorated. I've only seen quite plain hand vases before, this is quite lovely.
Many thanks, racer4four. I have another example of this same type in blue. Hand vases can vary so much...I have them in all colours & sizes, some simple & some very fancy. My collection was featured on ABCTV's Collectors back in 2010, although I have had numerous acquistions since then...I've also sold some duplicates. I can promise many more hand vases to follow...
These are great! I'm still waiting to get my hands (boom boom;) on one, they're high on 'the wish list' :) love the colour of this one.
Many thanks, Vintagefran - & I may be able to "lend a hand" to help in the acquistion of an example...