Tuesday, May 15, 2012

Charles Sweigart of Reinholds, PA sends this along.

Since the Portland vase imperfections were noted I suggest that all who only buy perfect pieces read the article at this address; http://www.britishmuseum.org/explore/highlights/article_index/c/portland_vase_-_conservation.aspx

This provides an image of the pieces before being assembled. I would guess that most “perfect” buyers would have passed on the purchase of a similar item if it existed. Great beauty can exist without perfection. The ability to perceive the beauty in spite of obvious flaws is not an easy task for many and even more difficult when equating it to monetary value. We can see and discuss the beauty and value of Carder’s works in the present, but none of us know what future generations will appreciate. I am making no effort to change the mindset of those who only want perfect, but am trying to show how those that will accept some imperfections can justify their position. Do you look at things and only perceive what they are not, or can you accept what they are and envision what they might have been. Neither is wrong.

Now, all that being said, how would the Portland vase be listed and the damage described by a seller who was not aware of it’s historic importance?

Please present your ideas on this by writing your own description. Have fun with this.

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2012 Carder Steuben Club annual Symposium will be held at The Corning Museum of Glass in Corning, NY from September 20-22, 2012.