Featured Harrach 1860’s Applied Snake Eisglass-Marriage?

Hello everyone, I got this Harrach glass snake vase at an estate auction, c. 1860’s, for $15. I was wondering if this is a marriage piece? The wooden base almost seems repainted at some point with the green color beneath, but at the same time I can’t find an example that has the base or the snake facing in that direction. Thank you!

 

I think someone took the base (top broke off?) and mounted it upside down to the wood block. Similar piece: https://www.etsy.com/listing/1395282134/antique-venitian-crystal-cut-glass

 

possibly Portland Glass Co. 'Tree of Life w/ Serpent' (AKA: Ophidian) from broken compote using the pedestal/foot upside down.

Lot - RARE PORTLAND GLASS COMPOTE - Lobed Top Clear Overshot 'Tree of Life' Compote, 1869-1874, with gilt edge, gilt cranberry slag serpent coiled around the bell-shaped base, 7 3/8" x 7 3/8" diam, good condition

Rare Portland Glass Compote | #1802598516



was also produced unadorned sans serpent

Pattern Details - TREE OF LIFE (AKA) port

EAPGS Pattern Index - TREE OF LIFE (AKA) port

 

Bet that's it.

Debora

 

seconded !

 

Ooooo I LOVE that !!!

 

^5 to whoever repurposed it. That was nice work.

 

Agree. They did a great job and that is such a cool piece!

 

Great EYE (as always Cakes)-what a clever retread job !

 

There are some differences, with the snake facing a different direction, and the glass at the top smooth, not scalloped. But sure looks like the same maker!

 

Both those things could be explained by it being turned upside down as part of the fix, as Kronos suggested. I also think this is maybe what the repair person did!

 

Looks like a Harrach foot/base to me. Tree of life pressed glass pattern looks different imo. Different shape as well. What they've done to it, well, I'd have left it alone.

 

This is truly fascinating! I've found this image of The Portland glass epergne.
Very similar to the one posted above, but different in shape, cut, serpent.
Then I found some documented pieces of Harrach, many were made.
So, the question is, has this been misrepresented by Portland glass and pressed glass enthusiast? OR was a talented bohemian employed at the time by Portland glass to mimic Harrach glass?
I am not a Portland glass expert by any means. Really, I'd love to know if anyone has further info.

 

Note the treatment of the 'scales' painted on the snake and the painting of the head. I think it's fair to say that the two snakes were painted by different artists. (Can't see the entire head on the pitcher well) but.... The pitcher has the scales represented by a series of X's, while the ones on the base are an attempt to emulate scales...
Probably different artists, probably different manufactures. I'm jealous, though, wish either were mine. At first I didn't realize they were so different and tried to say the manufacturers were the same, but now I know better.

 

perhaps someone has performed a detailed analysis of the various "Tree of Life" (the AKA often applied to this pattern) patterns. EAPGS has a comparison of the Portland and Boston Sandwich patterns: EAPGS Pattern Index - TREE OF LIFE (AKA) port ; perhaps one can find or perform comparisons with known Harrach pieces. There are also known Portland pieces that are marked: EAPGS Pattern Index - TREE OF LIFE (AKA) port and EAPGS Pattern Index - TREE OF LIFE (AKA) port ... Then there are multiple other known and unknown makers with some examples shown here: EAPGS Pattern Index

 

Probably different artists, probably different manufactures. I'm jealous, though, wish either were mine. At first I didn't realize they were so different and tried to say the manufacturers were the same, but now I know better. [/QUOTE]
If you are comparing aginghoopsters piece to the pitcher I'd have to disagree. That looks like the same maker to me, maybe not the same decorator as I'm sure there were many decorators. The decoration that caused me pause, was on the compote that TallCakes posted, as the body of the snake is gold with negative lines. Weird!