Posted 5 years ago
artfoot
(367 items)
This vase stands 7" (17.7 cm) tall. The decor is a clear-cased orange spatter with green inclusions on a thin white ground with an added black foot. The style and the relatively thin glass seem to indicate a pre-WWII production. The underside has an acid-stamp MADE IN JAPAN mark typical of glassware exported to the US in the 1930s.
Most exciting to me, it also holds a well-worn paper label. I don't want to rush to any conclusions but that sure looks like a SASAKI logo to me. In the third picture, I have manipulated the image of the label in an attempt to make it more readable. The label reads "MADE IN TOKYO - JAPAN" surrounding the (possibly) Sasaki logo. I am non-committal on this because, as yet, I can't explain the M in the center of the logo. Still, this is the closest I have come to an actual attribution for this type of Japanese Export glass.
The fourth picture shows the vase with a pair of post-war vases with a very similar decor.
Very interesting, I can add a bit of information but do not confirm my idea as an attribution.
The Morimura Brothers of Noritake fame, did do a short production of glass as well as their lovely porcelain decorative and utilitarian goods.
Since Karen is not as active here, she might answer in the Japanese glass FB group, do you want me to ask?
Thank you - I've asked Karen for her opinion but haven't yet received a reply. Morimura is certainly one of my considerations. Sasaki founder's name was Magoichi Shimada and company was founded during Meiji Restoration - two other M possibilities. Then there's always the unknown. :¬)
I can't help with the M, Harry. It's interesting as that six sided star is such a particular shape that I believe is Sasaki, but the M? Don't know.
Magoichi Shimada did not establish Sasaki, but was the founder of Shimada Glass in 1878. Shimada Glass later changed it's name to Toyo Glass, and Toyo merged with Sasaki in 2002 to make today's TSG, Toyo Sasaki Glass.
The founder of Sasaki Glass was Sojiro Sasaki, in 1902.
Sasaki was originally a wholesaler and the company didn't start making their own glassware until 1917. However they maintained two separate arms, the wholesaler and the producer. The company's history statement says that by 1931 "The company successfully produced overlay colored glassware by mass production, offering quality similar to European ones but with lower price. The company began to export these beautiful overlay glassware to the U.S.A" .
I guess that fits with this well.
Peggy I am aware that Noritake sold glassware under their name, but I only know of the post war glass, much of it actually produced by Kagami. Did they also sell pre-war when the company was still closely allied with the Morimura name? Perhaps Sasaki made this piece for Morimura? Quite feasible.
Sorry Lisa! Peggy was on my mind for other reasons.
Thank you Karen.
It's OK Karen, very glad you came along and shared your vast knowledge in Japanese glass.
It's good to hear there was nothing simple with the transactions, ownership, and handling of the Far East glass production over time. Seems it is part of long term export businesses.
I tried to find some Noritake glass, I think you are right, probably post war and utilitarian in nature. Thanks a lot.