Hand-Blown Glass Bud Vase with Acid-Etched Motif & Solid Brass Base, c. 1920s–1940s

The Piece

Hand-Blown Glass Bud Vase with Acid-Etched Decoration

Europe or North America, circa 1920s–1940s

A refined early-to-mid 20th-century hand-blown glass bud vase distinguished by true acid-etched decoration and a solid brass base. The clear glass body features a gently flared, ruffled rim and a softly swollen lower chamber, balanced by an etched botanical motif that wraps the neck with understated precision.

The brass base is not plated. It is solid, weight-bearing brass, recently cleaned to remove surface oxidation while intentionally preserving depth and warmth in the metal’s tone. The result is a piece that feels composed rather than shiny, with material honesty intact.

Materials & Technique

This vase combines multiple skilled processes:

• Hand-blown glass with natural variation in thickness and contour

• True acid etching, not wheel engraving or surface frosting

• Solid brass base, originally developed with green oxidation over time

Acid etching produces a softer, integrated line than mechanical engraving, allowing the etched leaf motif to appear embedded within the glass rather than sitting on its surface. This technique was favored in the interwar period for decorative glass intended to feel elevated without overt ornament.

Restoration & Condition

The brass base exhibited natural green oxidation consistent with age and was professionally cleaned, stabilizing the surface without stripping the metal or polishing away character.

• Brass now shows warm copper-gold tones with subtle depth

• Glass is clear and bright with no chips or cracks observed

• Etching remains crisp and legible

• Rim retains its organic hand-formed waviness

Overall condition is very good vintage, with age reflected through material presence rather than damage.

Product Details

Why It Belongs in Your Home

This piece works best where subtle material contrast matters. Clear glass against warm brass, etched softness against structural weight. It functions equally well as a single-stem bud vase, a small candleholder, or a shelf object layered among ceramics and books.

It doesn’t shout period. It suggests it.

From Viridian Eclection

We value material truth over surface shine. This vase stood out for its real brass construction and authentic acid etching, both increasingly rare in small decorative objects of this scale. Cleaned carefully and left honest, it carries its age with restraint and purpose.