Mid-Century Emerald Green Art Glass Bud Vase with Ruffled Black Rim

This is a hand-blown decorative glass vase featuring a vibrant emerald green color palette. The vessel is constructed with a bulbous, squat base that transitions into a long, cylindrical neck. A primary distinguishing feature is the ruffled or 'pie-crust' rim, which is finished with a contrasting black glass application, likely achieved through a threading or casing technique. The body exhibits a subtle internal vertical optic ribbing or dimpling effect, which creates a rhythmic pattern of light and shadow across the curved surface. This style of glass is highly characteristic of mid-century modern art glass production, often associated with West Virginia glassmakers like Kanawha, Blenko, or Rainbow, dating approximately from the 1960s to 1970s. The piece shows high-quality craftsmanship with smooth transitions and a rich depth of color. Condition appears excellent with no visible cracks, chips, or clouding; light surface wear on the base consistent with age may be present but is not readily apparent. The pontil mark on the base is likely ground or fire-polished, indicating a hand-finished process common in vintage artisanal glassware.

I have examined the digital representation of this mid-century art glass bud vase. The emerald green coloration combined with the black ruffled 'pie-crust' rim strongly suggests a West Virginia origin, most likely Kanawha Glass or potentially a Viking or Rainbow Glass production from the late 1960s to early 1970s. The vertical optic ribbing and polished pontil indicate a quality hand-blown process. Visually, the condition appears excellent with good clarity and no visible 'sick glass' or internal mineral deposits. The market for mid-century American glass remains steady; however, unsigned bud vases of this stature are common, which limits rarity. Comparable sales for similar Kanawha-style ruffled vases typically fall within the $40 to $70 range depending on the specific color rarity. Factors positively impacting value include the striking contrast of the black rim and the lack of structural damage. Conversely, the absence of an original foil label or maker's mark necessitates a 'attributed to' classification rather than a definitive branding. Limitations: This evaluation is based on photographic evidence only. A physical inspection is necessary to verify the absence of micro-flea bites along the rim, confirm the exact nature of the pontil mark, and check for internal stress fractures using polarized light. To fully authenticate the maker, historical catalog matching and comparison of weight and base-wear patterns with known archival examples would be required. In-person examination would also check for the presence of lead, which can distinguish higher-end makers from mass-market imitators of the period.