Aesthetic Movement Peachblow Vase with Gold Decoration

• Peach Blow - Peach blow is a finish that was used on 19th century art glass, particularly in the United States. It is characterized by a gradation of colour that goes from a pale pink or white at the top of the piece to a deep, rich red or magenta at the base. The effect is achieved by layering or coating the glass with a combination of gold chloride and tin chloride, which is then heated in a furnace to produce the desired colour.
  
  The name "peach blow" comes from the fact that the colour of the glass resembles that of a ripe peach. This finish was particularly popular during the Victorian era, and was used to create a variety of decorative glass objects, including vases, pitchers, and bowls.
  
  Peach blow glass was highly valued by collectors and connoisseurs of the time, and remains a sought-after type of antique glass today. Some of the most famous makers of peach blow glass include Mount Washington Glass Company and the New England Glass Company, both of which were based in the United States.
• Circa - A Latin term meaning 'about', often used in the antique trade to give an approximate date for the piece, usually considered to be five years on either side of the circa year. Thus, circa 1900 means the piece was made about 1900, probably between 1895 and 1905. The expression is sometimes abbreviated to c.1900.
• Chevron Motif - In jewellery, a chevron is a V-shaped pattern or design that is often used to create a bold and striking visual effect, and as a symbol of strength, power and protection.. It is a classic motif used in many different styles of jewellery and can be seen in various forms such as on a ring, earrings, bracelets, and necklaces. It can be created with precious or semi-precious stones, pearls, or enamel. It can be found in different forms such as engraved or inlaid or beaded.
  
  In ceramics the pattern is often used in decorative pottery and porcelain pieces, such as vases, bowls, plates and figurines. The chevron pattern can be created by using different colored glazes or by hand-painting the design onto the piece. It is also commonly found in the form of embossing or intaglio in decorative ceramic objects. This pattern can be seen as a popular design choice in Art Deco and Art Nouveau style of ceramics.
  
  This chevron pattern can also be found in many different types of furniture, such as tables, chairs, chests of drawers, and cabinets. A common place to find chevron pattern is in a herringbone pattern, which is made up of repeating V-shaped patterns. The chevron pattern can be created by using different types of wood, inlaying or by using different colors of stain. It is also commonly found in the form of a veneer. This pattern can be seen as a popular design choice in mid-century modern, Art Deco, and contemporary style furniture.
• Gilding - Gilding is a method of ornamentation whereby a thin sheet of gold metal is applied to items made of wood, leather, ceramics, glass and silver for decorative purposes.
  
  For furniture including mirrors, the sheet of gold is usually applied over a coating of gesso. Gesso is a mixture of plaster of Paris and gypsum mixed with water and then applied to the carved wooden frames of mirrors and picture frames as a base for applying the gold leaf. After numerous coats of gesso have been applied, allowed to dry and then sanded a coat of "bole", a usually red coloured mixture of clay and glue is brushed on and allowed to dry, after which the gold leaf is applied. Over time parts of the gilding will rub off so the base colour can be seen. In water gilding, this was generally a blue colour, while in oil gilding, the under layer was often yellow. In Victorian times, gilders frequently used red as a pigment beneath the gold leaf.
  
  Metal was often gilded by a process known as fire gilding. Gold mixed with mercury was applied and heated, causing the mercury to evaporate, the long-term effect of which was to kill or disable the craftsman or woman from mercury poisoning. The pursuit of beauty has claimed many victims, not the least of which were the artists who made those pieces so highly sought after today.

This item has been included into following indexes:

• ruby glass 667
• Webb, Thomas & Sons (England) - glass makers 145