Vintage Ruby Red Footed Glass Hobnail Vase with Fluted Rim

At 33.5 cm tall and 18 cm wide, this vintage ruby red footed glass vase with hobnail texture and fluted rim has the kind of bold physical presence that makes large-scale decorative glass so effective as a display object, the deep red of the glass catching the light along each raised hobnail with a warmth and intensity that a plain-bodied vase of the same colour could not achieve.

Made in the 20th century by an unidentified maker, this vase belongs to the tradition of hobnail-patterned decorative glass that has been produced in various forms since the mid-19th century, when the pattern first appeared in pressed glass tableware and decorative objects. The hobnail pattern, in which a regular grid of raised rounded knobs covers the surface of the glass, creates a tactile texture that also functions as a light-refracting surface, each knob catching and scattering the light in a way that gives the glass a liveliness and depth beyond its colour alone. In ruby red glass, the effect is particularly striking, the deep red tones shifting between crimson and garnet as the light changes. The footed base, which elevates the body of the vase and gives it a formal elegance, and the fluted rim, which opens the top of the vase with a gentle scalloped edge, complete the form with a refinement that balances the boldness of the hobnail texture. The piece is in very good condition throughout.

• Maker: Unknown
• Dimensions: 33.5 cm (H) x 18 cm (W)
• Condition: Very Good
• Features: Ruby red glass, hobnail texture, footed base, fluted rim
• Period: 20th century
• SKU: CBD-0148

A bold and commanding piece of vintage ruby red decorative glass. Pairs naturally with the ruby red Murano-style art glass vase (SKU-00316) and the wider Art Glass collection.