This vase is an exceptional and rare form that I have never seen before - as a vase in cased glass. Though uncommon, I have seen examples of the "caged" style of Empoli glass before.

The term "caged" refers to how the pattern, or impressed motif, is achieved; a wire cage is fashioned in the desired final shape of the vase, and in such as way as to create a decorative pattern with the frame of the cage. The molten glass bubble is then blown into the cage until it is gently bursting beyond it. Normally the cage is then left on the glass. When wire frame cages are employed, the final product is normally a pendant lamp, and this is normally done not with cased glass but filigrana glass (the lacy looking glass that has fine internal stripes). When the caged technique is used on tableware it is usually not a wire cage but more of a metal "frame" or bands with cut-out patterns, with the metal also left on. As I said, I have never before seen an example quite like this.

The effect of the pattern on the solid orange cased is stunning and sculptural with the play of light and shadow over the bold shapes - uninterrupted by the metal cage. In addition, the size of this vase is considerable; it is fairly massive in a way that is also quite uncommon for Empoli cased glass.

Empoli Cased Glass Vase #3048, circa1950's.

Measures 12 inches tall x 9.5 inches diameter.

Price: $750