Blown Cobalt Blue Glass Antique Table Vase

Blown Cobalt Blue Glass Antique Table Vase

Early large vase in deep rich blue glass. Made in the mid 1700’s to the late 1800’s. Probably made in America in the New England region glass making hubs of yesteryear. Could have been made in the United Kindom (called Bristol Blue) or Germany, where the metallic pigment is said to have been discovered. Germany was the main producer of cobalt blue at the time, but exporting was rare. This vase was found in Southern California, USA.

Blown in one piece. Rim was sheared, folded over and hand-crimped. Pontil mark is rough, broken off without polishing (known as “open”), as was normal for early blown glass. The base is inverted. The glass does not produce a yellow to green reflection under blacklight which means there is no manganese or uranium in the glass recipe. It reflects as crystal does, with hues of blue/purple. Cobalt blue glass was a luxury, the color expressing wealth in the 17th-18th centuries. The color on this vase is very rich. Rare both in color and form. Cobalt blue vases from the era are easier to find than most forms, but this vase is large and uncommon.

There are no chips or cracks. There are some shallow scratches on the exterior at the bulbous edge where it has bumped into nearby objects over the last 100 to 200 years. Sediment can be seen in the bottom-wear images. The sediment has been removed. There are very light, calcium whisps at what would have been normal water level, just above the bulge. Has many inclusions of small trapped bubbles and micro-ash bits from the furnace. This is expected and common in early blown glass.

Measures 7.25″ tall, 5.25″ at widest with a girth of 18″ at the bulge. Glass is medium-thick. Weighs 1.3 lbs. Table-sized vase for centerpiece.