Posted 5 years ago
kwqd
(1181 items)
This vase is 9" high x 7" wide, fairly thick glass, no pontil. I've been fishing around using several sources, none at all comprehensive, trying to learn about Japanese art glass of the 1950s-1990s. Kind of frustrating. I've looked at a lot of pictures, auctions, etc., but still not sure that I can tell Japanese art glass from Italian or Chinese art glass. Take this vase for instance. I found it for very little money on ebay and picked it up as a research opportunity, as it has components (size, shape, glass complexity, bottom style, etc.) of both Iwata and Kamei pieces that I have found with labels. Most of the handled vases I have found by those makers have fancier handles, but some are plain like this. There is enough wear to the bottom to suggest it may be from the period I am researching. Wondering if I could get some guidance on whether nor not I am on the right track. I would like to learn enough to find cheaper, unlabeled pieces of Japanese art glass, as labeled glass seems to command a much higher price, and I am stingy. Rightly, or wrongly, I have a perception that Japanese art glass of this period may not be that common in the US, which also means that I will be shaking the tree harder so unlabeled glass may have to be targeted. Calling this a mystery as I try to identify a maker or possible makers...
See comment from racer4four, below.
From https://www.globalkitchenjapan.com/products/hokuyo-tsugaru-vidro-hand-blown-sake-glass-50ml-4-colours
"Hokuyo Glass Co.,Ltd. was founded in 1949 in Aomori and manufactured glass floats. Today they are designated for making Tsugaru Vidro (Tsugaru Region glassware) that is a traditional craft in Aomori, Japan. Tsugaru Vidro is very attractive glassware that is made by a unique use of local fine skills.
Hokuyo Glass Co.,Ltd. is a group company of Ishizuka Glass Co., Ltd.."
Great images of the Hokuyo factory and some glass making, below!
https://jimbryant.photoshelter.com/gallery-image/Aomori-Blown-Glass-Factory/G00006ATp.iNT7eg/I00005sgRIW9akiw/6
Yeah, welcome to my world Kevin. It's taken me a long time to gain knowledge on Japanese glass and I am still often baffled.
I do think this Japanese and I will have to say why because this style is almost generic.
First is the shape, which is one very common in Japanese glass, and usually with a simple scroll handle like this. It is not an Italian shape.
Second is the base which is a bit too good for Chinese glass of the time they were making this decor. Chinese glass these days is often beautifully finished, but I haven't seen this decor from China for a while and the ones I have seen were pretty average on the base polish.
Third, I have seen very similar vases with Kamei labels. Kamei were wholesalers, not makers, so who made them? My best guess is Hokuyo Glass, this is one of their shapes and they did do a bit of aventurine glass in the 80s.
Thanks for the information, racer4four! You should consider writing a primer for Japanese art glass. There is nothing out there for this topic. The most authoritative glass sites either have meager sections on Japanese glass or just lump it under "Far East glass" with other countries of manufacture. Hard to believe since it is such great glass..
Thanks for loving my vase!
artfoot
vetraio50
fortapache
Newfld
Thanks for loving my possibly Hokuyo vase sklo42, Ivonne and nutsabotas6!
Thanks for loving my Japanese vase IronLace and aura!
Thank you MALKEY and blunderbuss2!