Acid-Etched Cameo Vases

[ghopper1924]

All:

I need to prevail on the expertise of the group. I recently purchased these two high-shouldered, acid-etched vases as part of a set that included a signed Galle vase.

These two are matched by color - green and blue - and by theme, thistles with hummingbirds. They're definitely hand made, with a polished pontil on the bottom. From the styling of the hummingbird, I'm thinking 1920s.

Unfortunately, they're not signed. I'm thinking....Galle, Daum, or something similar.

Or maybe they're "modern?" reproductions? If so, they went to as much trouble to make them as Galle did back in the day.

So help me out Wendy, or anyone else into art glass: Can you find out who made these two vases? How about a value?

Thanks y'all!!!!

[greenacres]

Beautiful vases. I was cross checking glass from book to internet. I'm just guessing. It could be Andre Delatte. http://www.bing.com/images/search?q=Andre+Delatte+Antique+Glass+Vases&view=detail&id=D6AF17240219D89027F0CC3164B941208BDFB2DA
 As i looked this was the only similar pattern. Let's what the other opinions are.

[greenacres]

I just found this! http://www.ebay.com/itm/Beautiful-Antique-Signed-Galle-Cameo-Art-Glass-Vase-8-1-8-inches-/120882600641?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item1c252a1ac1
It's similiar pattern and it is Galle.

[mart]

there are many signed Galle vases on ebay !!  Did not find anything with a similar design !! But, check Val St. Lambert !! They did a lot of those high shouldered vases !!  Just because it isn`t marked doesn`t mean it isn`t a  Galle !! there were several in that family that made similar pieces and I think some of those are unmarked !! Hope i remember what i read correctly !!

[ghopper1924]

Thanks Greenacres and Mart!

I tracked down the references you mentioned, and I have to come to the conclusion that Galle is the closest.

I take it that the prevailing opinion is that these are NOT reproductions.

How about value? 1K-2K for the pair? Less? More?

[bigwull]

Depending on where these were to be sold...it could around these figures...i go to an auction house once a month..and sometimes i see an item.. with a price guide of £100/150...and it sells for less...then another item had a guide price of £200/300...and it went for £850...you can never tell...it all depends on who see,s it on the day..and the ideal scenario is two bidders with the a  ..I must have this head, on their shoulders..

[wendy177]

Beautiful pieces ghopper! But and this is my opinion from your photos only, These are not Galle'  1.  I do not recognize the shape ( but many pieces have tops & bottoms ground off due to chips)  2. I do not believe Galle' used glass combinations like this (green with mottled white) as a base for pieces  - colors not right. 3. Both patterns are almost completely identical, to identical  No two Gallé vases are ever identical. Gallé liked to repeat shapes and decorations. Since each vase is hand-done there will always be some differences as to exact decoration, color, or shape. This will be true for any great artist from that era who created hand done glass.  Cameo glass is now being made in Poland, as well as Romania and China. Some very well done ,some mold done,some hand done. But this is very hard to do from photos only and by all means if you have a local museum take them for a hands on.

[ghopper1924]

Thanks! I guess the only other thing I could throw out (which I should have remembered at first) is that according to the seller, these have been in storage for 40-50 years. Would that mean that they are not reproductions? I know the Romanian reproductions are signed "Galle tip," "Tip" being Romanian for "type," and have come to market only in the last decade or two. The Chinese versions I've seen have been obviously clumsy, so that leaves Poland. I don't know if the Polish versions have any distinctive features.

Believe me, I'm not trying to argue, just trying get a grip on the actual situation.

Wendy, we live in a place in the midwest with no immediate access to museums. Would you know of any online sites to recommend for evaluation?

[wendy177]

Oh ghopper I would never think you were trying to argue    Glass is very hard to get a handle on especially in photos only.  Please contact the Corning Museum of Glass (heaven on earth)     http://www.cmog.org/
 and send your photos & Info  to the curator  Email: curatorial@cmog.org
   Keep us posted!!

[ghopper1924]

Here's a link to a Galle vase of similar shape in the Corning collection:


http://www.cmog.org/artwork/vase-flowers-7?page=1&query=galle&goto=node/51200&filter=%22bundle%3Aartwork%22&sort=bs_has_image%20desc%2Cscore%20desc%2Cbs_on_display%20desc&object=13

[wendy177]

Sorry but I must say this shape is not similar in glass terms 1 the true Galle' has a foot, 2  the top rim is finished it is rounded, Reproduction vases are  usually cut off straight at the top like yours. 3 color is correct for Galle'  ( colorless frosted base with layers of color added.)  Shape is also more slender with a more refined shoulder.  Sorry ghopper but I just don't yours are  Galle'  Please let us know what you hear from the Corning Museum of Glass  hopefully they will have better news than me  

[Rauville]

I found the following article somewhat interesting.
http://www.chasenantiques.com/index.php?pid=4&ipid=131

[ghopper1924]

Good article. It looks like Wendy may have seen it, and I think I read it myself a few months ago.

After reading this, I'm glad to note that my vases have polished pontils and are unsigned. They may not be Galle, but maybe they're another interesting French maker.

I've written the curator at Corning; so far no response.

[ghopper1924]

OK, time for the denoument. 

In short, Wendy was right. I wrote the Corning Museum, and a specialist in ca. 1900 French Glass, and both agreed that these were modern reproductions

Hey, live and learn, right? The good thing is that I was able to return them to the estate sale folks who sold them to me, for a full refund. They were good about it, so I'll give them a shout:

ESAS Estate Sales
Columbia Missouri

It pays to do business with ethical people!!

Anyway, I learned alot from this, and have come a long way in my understanding of Galle glass.

So, all's well!!!!!!!!!!

[mart]

glad you finally found out for sure !! and they were good enough to give you a refund !!