Posted 4 years ago
IronLace
(930 items)
This is the other half of my recent job lot purchase of Victorian art glass. In fact, THIS is the piece that had me eagerly hitting the "buy it now" button.
Another example of satin glass, & an unusual one in all kinds of ways - the colour, the shape, & the decor. Initially, based on the shape, I believed it to be by John Walsh Walsh, based on a known piece of ribbon air trap satin glass that I already had. But, once unboxed, I've decided to keep my mind open to a possibly different attribution.
To begin - it is made from what appears to three layers of cased glass - clear over beige/tan with a deeper tan spatter, & a white interior. The satin finish really brings out the contrast between the base colour & the spatter - it lends the darker toned spatter an intense, glowing appearance. The vase/rose bowl/toothpick holder measures 7.5 cm tall, 4.5 cm across the three way crimped top rim, & 5 cm across the clear, footed base. There is fine quality, fired - on gilded decoration of plum/cherry blossom type flowers, as well as thin lines of gilding encircling the top rim & base.
The fourth photo shows it in comparison with a John Walsh Walsh piece of similar form (note the integral, not applied foot).
The gilding is more reminiscent of that seen on certain items by Thomas Webb & Sons, though the tri - corner shape is known as Walsh Walsh. So, in all kinds of ways it's very, very interesting, despite it's diminutive size.
I think it is most likely English, but the question remains...Walsh Walsh or Webb?
Either way, it's a super little item!
I really love this one!! But, they're both outstanding pieces!
Many thanks, jscott0363!
I'm equally thrilled by both pieces from this lot...I took a chance, as the photos weren't great & it also took a long time to arrive (from within my own state). As mentioned, the parcel looked horredous...but all good on the inside - in fact, far better than what I thought!
Very nice find, IronLace. I've been trying to buy a piece of Walsh sateen for years. I remember seeing a blue sateen jug and sugar a few years ago but it was out of my price range - I now regret not buying it! When will I see another one? Just purchased three Victorian items from England recently. Will post some photos of them soon.
Many thanks, Russel117, & I'm looking forward to seeing your new finds.
I'm a big fan of Walsh Walsh glass, & I have a couple of examples of Sateen, including a small rosebowl in an unusual shade of chartreuse green. Also some "Crushed Strawberry" glass, & most notably, three "Palm Tree" vases.
I'd change my mind on gilding for this one. It adds another element to the design and looks right. Very pretty.
Apart from it's other cool features this vase (and the similar Walsh Walsh) always make me think of the pleasure of squeezing soft glass to make the shape.
Can you imagine it? You've blown this pretty thing and get the tweezers and squeeze.
Satisfying.
Peggy, I'm happy to provide a reason for your change of mind - as I said, I'm 50/50 on gilding - sometimes it's all too much, & other times, as with this item, it provides the icing on the cake. In this instance, it complements so effectively with the autumnal tones of this piece...
Karen, I totally get it...it must be so wonderful to shape glass. I've mucked about with a bit of ceramics in my time, which is pretty fun. I was pretty hopeless at it in art school, but when I started teaching, I had to get my act together fast so I could have some credibility teaching it! :-)