Vase ID

[watercolor]

I bought this for a buck at a local garage sale (I'm sorry if this is posted in the wrong place jeff) but, the hallmark on the bottom is rather unique so I thought I'd post this to see if anyone had ever seen anything similar. This vase is 7-1/4" tall and appears to be brass with a mixed-metal-like patina. It is not stamped with any "Made in..." markings, only a face-like hallmark which is shown in my second photo. I took this vase to an antique fair last fall and spoke with a dealer that specialized in craftsman-style metal ware and he had no clue but, still offered me $75 dollars for it (which I declined). If anyone has any ideas or could point me in the right direction, that would be great. Thanks!




Thanks again,
watercolor

 

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[TreasureTales]

LOL, that doesn't look like any mark I've ever seen. It looks like somebody was having a little fun. Maybe the vase was made by a contemporary metal artist and that is his/her signature? You know, a reflection of today's society? Goofy!!

 

[DCMatt]

If you rub it, does pink smoke come out?

DCMatt

P.S. Be careful what you wish...

 

[TreasureTales]

Maybe it should be turned upsidedown?


Like this

 

[watercolor]

TT & Matt, that hallmark looks just as weird upside down and as to the pink smoke, all I get is dust, oh well. . . I'll just put it back on the shelf.

thanks for looking,
watercolor

 

[TreasureTales]

The mark is weird, but I think you've got a very nice vase. Congrats.

 

[Red-Coat]

Just tidying up some blasts from the past (including some very ancient ones), largely for the benefit of anyone searching the site for information.

There’s not too much information available about that maker mark, except that it’s Japanese and seems to relate to the 1950s and 1960s. Some people refer to it as the “Martian” mark and I’ve also seen it described as “Ghost”. I don’t know whose mark it was but It’s often seen with the letters ‘SSKK’ below it as shown below:

That Vase has an additional mark for “Vernon”, but I believe that was an importer of decorative oriental goods, not a maker.