This is a very pretty and decorative vase by John Ditchfield. It is signed on the base and has an engraved inscription Glassform. It is also numbered 3663.
John Ditchfield was born in Blackpool in 1952. He served a seven year apprenticeship at the Venetian Glass Company where he was taught by the skilled Murano glassblower, Franco Toffio.
He established his Glasform company back in the UK in 1982. Here he made beautiful hand-blown one-off vases (such as this one), lamp bases, and paperweights. He specialised in stunning iridescent finishes. His one-off pieces were signed and often had their unique issue number on them. This one is marked with an early number: 3663. It is part of his Unique Collection which was started back in 1982.
My vase has a lovely shape and is made from a mottled blue glass with an overlaid peacock feather iridescent shimmering layer. Here, Ditchfield has been looking at Art Nouveau patterns and works by Loetz and Tiffany for inspiration. He has used a whiplash pattern with dark lily-pads and sweeping tendrils across the surface.
The vase is just over 6 inches in height. It is a lovely egg-shaped one. It is in vintage condition and displays so beautifully. There are a lot of little dark lily-pads and the tendrils are all edged around with a gold tone. These early unique lily-pad vases by Ditchfield are now hard to find - and this is a very fair price for this one. I have taken lots of images for your inspection.
It would have to be sent with Royal Mail Special Next Day Delivery with the Royal Mail. This is the only tracked service that gives full insurance for loss or damage to glass items in transit. Standard Royal Mail now only offers £20 insurance.