A fabulous and quirky heavy blown French crystal vase, made by renowned crystal manufacturer Art Vannes, and dating from around the middle of the 20th century. Heavy and substantial, with thick ribbed sides and a free-form undulating rim, this vase is a French style icon, and bears the acid etched maker’s mark on its base. The origins of the Art Vannes manufacturing story date back to the mid 18th century, and to the village of Vannes-le-Châtel in the eastern Lorraine region of France, which had become a hub for master glassmakers in the region, and which, incidentally is still home today to Europe’s largest glassmaking school. Art Vannes are known to have operated their furnaces only from 1950 to 1970, when the company merged with the Daum crystal factory, so these gorgeous pieces of glass art are considered to be particularly special finds.