Posted 7 years ago
Rick55
(130 items)
A few weeks ago, this vase showed up on eBay, and I was fortunate enough to get it. It was made by Thomas Webb and is a rare excample of his "Bronze" glass. I thought it would make a nice compare and contrast piece for my Loetz PG 377.
It dates from around the late 1870's to early 1880's, and the decor was nicknamed the"brains" pattern for obvious reasons.
The finish was created from Webb's experimentation with recreating the iridescent finish we find on excavated Roman Glass, which show the signs of time being buried in the earth and reacting to natural chemicals such as iron oxide. The base colour is a deep green, and the iridescent blues, purples and green colours were created by a complex chemical formulation.
The process called for the use of a closed muffle or chamber where the fumes from the evaporation of tin and other metallic salts permanently attached to the surface of the glass producing a rainbow of iridescent blues, purples and green colours.
The last pic shows a side-by-side comparison with my Crete PG 377. As always thanks for looking!
I love the journey my eyes take while looking at picture #4.
Great pieces.... and a great comparison.... Every once in a while you will see a Webb piece being offered on ebay as a PG377 Loetz.
BEAUTIFUL Glass-- thanks for sharing and educating!
scott
Lol I'm watching antique road show and they Barca Webb vase. Just wonderful craftsmanship. The vase was appraised at 1500 in 2002. Never heard of the maker before.
Spell check hmm
Excellent comparison. Very helpful - thanks!
Sigh, glass porn......
Wonderful piece Rick ! :)
Rick,
That's incredibly beautiful!! Wonderful history of this piece.
Wow! Again Rick, another beauty! If I had seen this piece of glass, I would have thought it to be contemporary. I never would have thought it was 140 years old, and trying to copy the look of glass, 1000's of years old!
It always amazes me, to see the museum quality pieces that you get, and then, to photograph them, with that same quality! :^D
Just super Rick, thank you so much, for showing, for us! :^)
Lovely pieces!! I had never heard of a brains vase, but I see why they call it that ;)
Nice to see you got this piece Rick...I tried. Great pics.
Thank you for the positive comments Bill, Craig, Scottvez, Roy, Wow22, Karen, Mike, Scott, Billretire, Mrs T and Mac, and thanks for the love Swfin, Aura, Adele, Gary, Deb, Eza, Jean, Jim, Ivonne, Fort, Lace, Thomas, Bucket and Moonhill, I appreciate all you guys!
@ Bill... Thanks Bill that's my favorite pic also :)
@ Craig... I can understand why the two could be confused as they're so similar. I'm sure there must be some Webb pieces out there that the owners believe are PG377.
@ Roy... I'd love to see that Antiques Road Show episode... do you know where they were visiting?
@ Wow... I agree, I think it makes a great comparison piece for the Loetz.
@ Karen.... Glass porn? I'm blushing lol!
@ Mike... Thanks, I'm glad you like it!
@ Scott... I love reading about the history of a particular piece or process... I just think it adds so much more to the appreciation and enjoyment of collecting :)
@ Billretire... Thanks so much for the great comment! Sometimes, based on the fine condition, I find it hard to believe that I'm actually holding an antique piece of glass rather than a contemporary one.
@ Mrs T... Actually, I've always heard the "brains" moniker applied to the Loetz PG377, but while doing research for this piece, I found that the same name applies.
@ Mac... Thanks Mac, I was thrilled to have gotten it! Also, I'm glad you like the pics :)
South Carolina I believe Rick.
Thanks Roy. I have the latest ones saved, but I didn't have that one.
FABULOUS, RICK !!!!
Thanks so much Kevin, I'm glad you like it :)
A jaw dropper ......Wow, that is so very Stunning. Pics are beautiful as ever
Drooling....
Thanks for the great comments Gary : ) You can keep the brain lol
Thank you Rose... I'm thrilled to have an example of each :)
Thanks to all of you guys for the loves!
Great post, very informative to say the least. And although I get the comparison of "brains", I just don't get why they would call it that! It just seems funny to me. I do love the vase...the name? Not so much. And it looks like the same person made both of them. Love, love your new photo!!! That's absolutely very cool! xoxo
Hey Rick those Victorian houses most were made by Protestants from the Upper Rhine or GermanyReigion. The Fortress In Halifax was completed and this was one of the first settlements outside the Fortress with the promised land to new settlers. They have Dutch look as well. The window out crops or Lunenburg bump was a sign of wealth along with stained glass around the doors.
Hi Rick..Don't know how I missed this..but then again I'm not on as often as I often as I was..sorry!...:-/..
I read your comment on Phil's Loetz cut glass post so thought you might find this interesting...would have sent it you via email but I have lost your email address..beware!..it will give you a new hunting area..they are wonderful..:-)
http://www.loetz.com/featured-articles/a-study-of-loetz-cut-glass-production
Great article Penny... such beautiful pieces! One question though… why tempt me with something new? Lol Thanks : )
Been getting an education on Webb's Bronze Brains vases. I was lucky enough to find one of these recently 4in tall by 4 3/4 wide. Does anyone have any further info on value? Thanks Patrick
Hi....so pleased for you.... I have a paperweight which has similarities.. I posted it under Webb “Brain” to see if anyone could confirm my thought. It looks too irregular to be Royal Brierley....so would be glad for your opinion