Handblown Glass Art Appraisal

Japanese Handblown Hand-Painted Glass Vase with Floral and Gilt Decor

This appears to be a small, dark glass vase or perfume bottle, approximately 6-8 inches in height, given its scale in the hand. The primary material is handblown glass, presenting a deep, almost opaque dark color, likely a very dark blue or black. Its form features a flared mouth with a gold band, a ribbed or segmented neck that narrows before flaring out again to a bulbous body, and then tapers down to a footed base, also adorned with a gold band. The most prominent feature is the hand-painted decor on the central body. This decoration consists of an ornate, raised gold design that frames a floral motif. The gold work has significant texture and appears to be heavily applied, possibly enameled or gilded with a raised relief effect. Within this gold frame, there are depictions of white, blue, and possibly light orange/yellow blossoms with green leaves, executed in a delicate, almost pastel palette. The painting exhibits a good degree of detail, suggesting careful craftsmanship. There are visible signs of wear on the gold banding, particularly around the rim and base, indicating some loss of the gilding and suggesting age and use. The hand-painted floral elements appear largely intact, though there might be minor wear or dust accumulation. Considering the 'Japan handblown hand painted' context, this piece likely dates from the mid-20th century, possibly the post-WWII era, when Japanese export ware with similar decorative techniques was prominent. The quality of the hand-painting and the handblown nature of the glass point to a higher level of craftsmanship than mass-produced items, contributing to its decorative and collectible appeal. The overall condition suggests minor age-appropriate wear, but no significant cracks or chips are immediately visible from the provided images.