Canadian Vintage Art Glass: The Lorraine Glass Flower Vases

The Flowers

During its operation, Lorraine Glass Industries crafted an array of glassware, echoing the forms of esteemed contemporaries such as EDAG and Chalet, prominent Canadian vintage glass creators of the era. Today, amidst increasing collector demands, Lorraine vases have emerged as highly sought-after treasures from the glasshouse. While we appreciate the timeless allure of the Lorraine Iris vases, our journey doesn't end there. In this blog, we delve deeper into the realm of Lorraine vases, focusing on the exquisite Lorraine flower top vases.

Aptly named for their floral-inspired design crowning the vase, reminiscent of a blooming flower, these vases come in two distinct types: the small flower and the fancy flower. The defining characteristic lies in the number of 'petals,' with the small flower boasting a 3-petal design, while the fancy flower flaunts 4 petals. Despite their differing petal counts, the bases of these vases share a commonality, sporting a 3 'toe' design, albeit with subtle variations attributable to their handcrafted nature. A notable variation is in the fancy flowers base with the presence of some toes that have the Lorraine indent or some that are smooth, to learn more about tool marks click here. Standing at a uniform height of 11 inches, these vases offer a consistent size across both variants. Now that we've outlined the distinctive features setting these vase types apart, let's embark on a more comprehensive exploration, dissecting their form and color variations in greater detail.

The Small Flower

Let's first examine the nuances of the Small Flower variant. Admired for its graceful silhouette and three-petal design, this type of vase often bears the hallmark 'Made in Canada' labels of Lorraine or the Giovanni Creations label. Notably, the bottom of each petal carries a distinctive 'U-push' a tooling mark, indicative of Canadian glass craftsmanship. While solid, single-tone colours dominate this variant, it's the rare instances of two-tone combinations that truly captivate collectors. Examples like green-over-blue, olive-over-amber, and purple-over-blue stand out among the crowd, with the exceptionally rare tie-dye colourations and the elusive black-rimmed-over-clear vase exemplifying unparalleled uniqueness. The black-rimmed-over-clear vase showcased here is the sole vase example of this color combination documented thus far, suggesting its potential status as a one-of-a-kind piece.

Solid Coloured Small Flowers

Two-toned Small Flowers

The Fancy Flower

Turning our attention to the Fancy Flower variant, we're greeted with a grander spectacle. With its four-petal flourish and the same distinctive 'U-push' at the base of each petal, this vase type shares the same pedigree as its smaller counterpart. Again, the 'Made in Canada' insignia or Giovanni Creations label frequently adorns these pieces. Like the Small Flower variant, solid colours prevail, but it's the rare two-tone combinations that truly dazzle. While tow-tone variations of orange dominate the scene, collectors cherish tow-tone rarities like purple-over-blue. However, it's the unicorn status achieved by the tie-dye colour combinations or the rich hues of dark forest green or burnt olive that truly elevate these vases to coveted collector's items.

Solid Coloured Fancy Flowers

Two-tone Fancy Flowers

In conclusion, Lorraine flower top vases, whether adorned with three or four petals, stand as timeless treasures embodying the exquisite craftsmanship and artistic flair of Canadian glassmaking heritage. Each piece not only reflects the beauty of nature but also bears the mark of skilled artisans, making them cherished additions to any collector's showcase. If Lorraine vases intrigue you check out my blog on the iconic Lorraine Iris vases by clicking here.