Unsigned pewter figural vase

[Sam]

Thanks again for the replies and links. I will see what the pewter society can tell me, thanks bigwull.
Ipcress, believe me, I have scoured every bit of the vase for marks, but nothing that I can see. The whole thing seems as one, so I don't believe I could remove the lower edge. Mine is definitely more detailed than those others, with the cherubs, fish, birds, reeds, and it's a mermaid caught in the net. I must admit, when I first saw it, I actually thought it was a bit ugly, but it has grown on me so much. One of my favourite possessions

[mart]

Try to get a pic of the marking !! I agree with Ipcress that this was not done originally as a golf trophy !!  And yes it would be a bit unusual for a sculptor to not to sign it !!  Although there have been a few !!  Kind of hard to build a reputation as a sculptor if no one knows who made the piece !!

[Ipcress]

Thanks again for the replies and links. I will see what the pewter society can tell me, thanks bigwull.
Ipcress, believe me, I have scoured every bit of the vase for marks, but nothing that I can see. The whole thing seems as one, so I don't believe I could remove the lower edge. Mine is definitely more detailed than those others, with the cherubs, fish, birds, reeds, and it's a mermaid caught in the net. I must admit, when I first saw it, I actually thought it was a bit ugly, but it has grown on me so much. One of my favourite possessions

I don't mean the lower rim, i mean the base plate with holes. What is this plate attached to ?

The Pewter Society are unlikely to know without a touchmark or similar point of reference.

The definition is wonderful - the putti and the net in particular - so my opinion is that this is unique, not a pewter recast of a bronze vase. It appears to lean to one side though, using the table edge as a perpendicular.

The prices asked on Ebay for the Coustaury vases are laughably high

[wendy177]

I love this piece and agree it was engraved much later than when it was made!! I also agree with frogpatch and think It should really be seen by an expert.  it could be a very important item if authenticated.  Take her to a local museum!!   Beautiful piece!

[Ipcress]

Here's the thing about a local museum - unless they have an expert in Art Nouveau, and particularly metalware, they are going to struggle without a mark or point of reference. Museums have curators and specialists for certain areas and then refer other items to specialists elsewhere - i catalogued a collection of paintings for a large city museum here in the UK. Unless that base plate comes off and there's a mark on the inner side of the vase, it's difficult to attribute this.
 The work on the side of the vase is excellent, worthy of WMF, Wiener Werkstatte etc. I think some of the wavy rim is clumsy / thick when compared to other parts but as a whole it's a lovely piece of Art Nouveau but the fact remains that the engraving devalues the piece. Had it been a golf themed trophy of the same quality from the same period i think the value would be higher. Without attriubtion i'd say £300-500 but wouldn't be surprised to see it sell for more.

This was WMF and sold for £1,700

http://www.liveauctioneers.com/sothebys/item/125025

These were WMF. Better quality, scarcer and a pair. £10,000.

http://www.liveauctioneers.com/sothebys/item/107208

[Sam]

The disc doesn't look as if it would be easily removed, and I'm pretty sure that I can see directly onto the other side of it from the inside so nothing hidden there. I will try and get better pics up later tonight ( hubby has me roped into some decorating at the mo! )
I have learnt a new word today - putti, thanks

[mart]

Just hang around !!  You will learn a lot of new words !!