Our Little "Garden"

I like to collect, while my partner likes to garden. One of the challenges to downsizing has been getting used to less garden. Our new townhome has a small courtyard/patio that Eric tries to busy himself in. I think he's got it looking very nice. Have a look!

 

Our former home and garden were much larger (below).

Gramma Moore's Smooth Panels Rosebowl

Gramma Moore's marigold carnival glass rosebowl (Smooth Panels made by Imperial) is perfect for this orchid in the sitting area of our master bedroom.

An UNUSUAL Hand Vase



Hand vase #143 is very unusual.

It is purple and just slightly taller than the large vintage and new crest vases made by Fenton. The top/rim is very unusual - perhaps a mistake/second from the factory. While I cannot be sure of the maker, it does seem to be closely related to Fenton.

Purple is a rare hand vase colour. The colour of #143 matches another hand vase in my collection (below).

I think it's safe to assume there's no other hand vase out there like it!

REPRO. ALERT - "Gillinder Centennial 1876 Style" Hand Vases

Unfortunately there a lot of reproduction hand vases nowadays being passed off as old - particularly on ebay. Some sellers misidentify them honestly, others not so honestly. The repro hand vase most frequently misidentified and/or passed off as antique or depression glass is the reproduction "Gillinder Centennial 1876" (below) hand vase which I have done an earlier blog entry about. Gillinder only produced a frosted version.

Today's repros, come in blue green, pink and clear colours (including what some describe as "ice" colours) and DO NOT have "Centennaial 1876" written on the cuff/base of the vase. The hand vases pictured below are all new, probably made in Asia.

The saying goes "Buyer beware". Sellers should beware as well and not list new items as old.

Ruby STAINED Glass Hand Vases

Ruby coloured hand vases (and other glass items) are often misidentified as "ruby flash", when they are in fact "ruby stained". Flashing and casing involve adding a layer of glass over usually clear or white glass. Staining, however, is simply adding a layer of colour - the stain is "painted on".

The following vases pictured below have been partially stained ruby.

This pair of hand vases (below) has been completely stained ruby over clear glass.

These ruby stained hand vases look distinctly different from vases which have been made from ruby glass (below). Ruby glass is much darker. Ruby stained vases are often lighter or transparent and the stain may rub off with age.

For more information on flashed vs. stained vs. cased glass go to http://www.patternglass.com/FlashCaseStain/FlashCaseStain.htm

NEW ADDITIONS

It's a happy day when I receive hand vases in the mail. Here are two new additions - a large emerald green hand holding torch vase and a frilly smoke glass hand vase :) The makers are unknown.

THE WHOPPER OF ALL HAND VASES

These frosted and glossy hand vases stand a whopping 30 cm - the largest of all hand vases.

They are frequently described on ebay as Victorian, Art Deco or depression glass - but are not. They were most likely made in Asia mid to late 20th century.