Occasionally a piece of antique glass will come your way that virtually defies description! Bizarre effects and shapes seemed to reach a climax in the late Victorian era- in places such as Bohemia, where I suspect this amazing item was forged. The glass has a ‘distressed’ effect intentionally caused through tactical heating and cooling techniques- of an opaque milk white glass with a hint of pink. Three Vaseline opalescent glass decorations have been added, including a stamped ‘prunt’ technique using a dimpled metal stamp as shown. The effects of these drawn glass additions is to give the entire bowl an organic, tropical marine like effect- indeed looking more like something one might find in a coral reef than a Victorian sideboard!. I've seen such bizarre piece before- and I would imagine that contemporaneous discoveries being made in the ‘New World’ of coral reefs and their wonders, at least partially informed these opulent glass pieces- as they certainly did in Venice around this time? Unfortunately the bowl has been cracked and repaired- but this is only apparent from the inside as shown. This detraction must be noted- however the piece remains an intriguing ‘specimen’ piece that highlights the stylistic opulence and extremes of the late Victorian European Decorative Arts.
See several pictures, and item dimensions below.
Please also note- Always happy to combine postage for multiple purchases- Pick up is ok for larger items- Cash payments only please from Camberwell, Melbourne.
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