Harrach – Vase – Peachblow with Butterfly & Prunis Blossom

Harrachov Glassworks (Bohemia, Est. 1712) /
Often attrib. to Jules Barbe for Thomas Webb & Sons (England, 1859-1920)*
Gilt Peachblow Vase
Butterfly & Prunis Blossoms
Silver & Gold Gilding
European Japanese Aesthetic
10 ¾” high x 5 ³/₈” diameter

*Notes: For many decades there has been much confusion surrounding certain Victorian/Edwardian era art glass. Recent scholarship has reattributed many objects thought to be by Thomas Webb and Sons, Stourbridge, to Harrachov Glassworks, Bohemia. ‘Jules Barbe’ vases similar to this example walk that fine line of attribution. These previous attributions weren’t made lightly by amateurs but by established bodies within the art world with first-hand knowledge of pattern books and designers. During the 19^th and early 20^th Century the Japanese Aesthetic was in vogue and peachblow, butterflies and prunis blossoms found their way into a wide variety of designs and glasshouses. Retailers also imported and sold glass from other glasshouses leading to an increase in confusion of who made what. The Bohemian glass “craze” of the 21^st Century has helped such attributions settle into firmer territory, the cross-border dialogue and influx of evidence has settled this style towards the Harrachov Glassworks, Bohemia. Every bit a quality piece of art glass.

Markings: polished pontil, unsigned as is usual and to be expected, it is only inscribed in gilt, ‘3’

Condition: Very Good
For Accuracy: an Antique it may show expected light signs of age and use related wear. There is a small burst bubble on the rim original to production, the original gilt is very slightly worn at the rim and upper reach of the branches, a couple of flakes to the highest points of tube-lining, and there is the slightest of minuscule flakes at the rim edge that appears to be factory and would have been hidden under the gold. The décor is tube-lined with silver and gold gilt with much fine detail and shading and the glossy peachblow body has a smooth gradient falling over the shoulders with good light pink colour all the way to the base.