Posted 3 years ago
BHIFOS
(418 items)
I was talking to my local antique dealer a while back and telling him about these beautiful but expensive flower vases (didn't know the correct name at the time) I had seen down south in some flash antique shops. He went all funny on me and wondered off out the back of the shop as if in a dream (he was in a deep memory search) but came back with the 4 flower stems you see. When I said I would like them at the low price he offered (there is some damage) he remembered there was a base but it wasn't the glass one in the first photo. It had obviously had a big accident and the bowl was missing but the earlier owner had soldered the brass holder to a circle of tin and then screwed it to a nicely shaped piece of old oak. I had to reattach the flowers to their brass tips which fit into a hole in the base and clean them up a bit but I was happy.
Note if you ever have to reattach the tips use "Plaster of Paris" not glue or epoxy, the plaster dries firm but if you knock the flower stem the plaster will crack or let the flower turn.
Anyway a while ago I saw a very broken Epergne on the net for $1, the base was OK and a similar colour to my flowers but it was "pick up only" 350Km away. I used the Q&A feature and told the lady about my epergne and if she would send it and she was pleased to help! Cost a lot more in postage but I got the base and all the rest. The bowl had very bad water staining and the brass flower base was unattached so at the time I just stored it away for a rainy day. Well at the moment we are in lockdown it isn't raining but it looked like the project to keep me busy for a day.
As you can see it looks great, the 2 aren't a perfect match but better than the wooden base I think. Thanks Marg! :)
A super piece of restoration work, Bernard! I admire your perseverance & dedication, too. It seems that when you collect Victorian glass, they're qualities a person needs to have. I think of the lengths I've gone to for my collection, searching for missing parts, putting things together, such as fairy lamps. It's very rewarding & adds an extra level of enjoyment to one's efforts.
The wooden "make - do" base is rather interesting in it's own right, has a certain Steampunk vibe to it! I obtained a Victorian figural fish vase mounted on a wooden base, which I knew wasn't quite right, & it took me many years to find the appropriate base, which was a mirror plateau.
I have an epergne base made from Peloton glass & hope to find a trumpet for it one day. I also once bought a job lot of assorted brass epergne fittings (just in case, LOL) so if you want any, just let me know...
A convincing marriage of stray pieces, allowing them to live on. Well done.
way to go .....
I love epergnes-- great work to take the parts and create a BEAUTIFUL piece!!
scott
I don't know which I love more, the result or the story of the restoration. Bravo!!!
Thanks for the nice comments Marin. I should be right for Epergne bits but appreciate the offer!! :)
Thanks also to
Wow22
Rocky22222
scottvez
& sklo42
for the nice comments & everyone for the "loves"!
I saw a blue one like this while on the coast Saturday ..they wanted 500.oo.. I came back to it just to check If I read it right a second ...lol it will sit there till the roof falls in ...lol
glad you made out good your resto looks great ....later