Art Deco Saint Prex Glass Vase, 1930s

Large red and black enamelled blown glass vase. In good condition with usual traces of use and age. Height 27 cm
The use of the airbrush in the artistic workshop of the Verrerie de Saint-Prex has been documented since its creation in 1928. The first colors applied with this tool were not annealed, which explains why certain patterns are today partially erased. from the beginning of the 1930s, this deficient process was combined with – then gradually replaced by – the use of enamels, combined with additional firing. In Saint-Prex, the enamel (vitrifiable substance colored by metal oxides) is therefore sprayed using a jet of compressed air. This step, in addition to its decorative contribution, allows, if necessary, to hide the imperfections of the glass (let's not forget that the basic production is put on sale in the form of green transparent glass items). The selected examples are thus coated, on their exterior and interior surface (upper part only), with a layer of opaque enamel. The base and the background being left bare, the original transparency of the object appears in the light. The color black is often used alone – reminiscent of the black lustrous earths of Paul Bonifas –, or sometimes combined in gradient with red or blue. The piece then undergoes another firing which allows the enamel to be permanently fixed.