Baby, You're So Square!

Baby, You’re So Square!

I don't know why my heart flips
I only know it does
I wonder why I love you baby
I guess it's just because
You're so square*

Do you know the feeling? You see a piece of Carnival … a shape, a colour, a pattern … and you know you just have to have it. 

There’s something about it that makes your heart skip a beat. It was the shape that did it. 

There’s nothing else quite like these extremely rare and unusual square-shaped vases in Carnival Glass. 


Made by Brockwitz and Riihimaki, they really do stop the show.



*"You're So Square - Baby I Don't Care" written in 1957 by Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller. Made famous by Elvis Presley and Buddy Holly.

Square Diamond (aka Column Flower) - Brockwitz

Square Diamond was made in one height only, a shade over 8 inches (21 cm). It is an exquisitely complex geometric, comprising diamonds, hobstars, file and fan shapes. The pattern is repeated on each of the four sides. 

At the vertical junction of each of the four sides the edge features a series of small scallops. The base is ground and also features an intaglio star. 

The vase shown here was made by Brockwitz. Very few have been reported to date, in blue and marigold. Possibly, there was more than one mould.

There is an almost identical vase which was made by Riihimaki which (so far) is know only in amber / marigold. There are differences between the Brockwitz and Riihimaki versions. Read more about this vase and how to tell the differences between the two versions of this vase in our ebook: “Riihimaki Carnival Glass from Finland”

Regina’s Star – Brockwitz

Regina’s Star featured in the Brockwitz catalogue in three sizes, as shown below; approx. 5.5”, 7” and just under 9” (14 cm, 18 cm and 23 cm). The largest 9" size is the one known in Carnival. Blue is the only colour currently reported. 

As with the Square Diamond, the pattern is repeated on all four sides: it is a detailed geometric pattern and there are vertical lines of small scallops forming the edges of each of the sides. 

Unlike the Square Diamond, however, the top is straight and as formed with no extra shaping (Square Diamond is flared out and has a fluted scallop edge).

The base is ground flat and has a complex intaglio star that is different to that on Square Diamond. 

This example was recently found in Yorkshire, England.

Schmalzie - Riihimaki

Schmalzie is a complex, intaglio geometric that is dominated by two massive hobstars, joined by crossed lines. 

The pattern is repeated on each of the four sides. 

The base is ground and has an incised star. 

It stands 8.5" (22 cm) high and is known in blue and marigold. 

This example was acquired by us in April, 2015 … and it sure made our hearts beat faster when we finally got it.

All three vases are exceptionally rare, and in our view, they rival in rarity (and arguably design) that great Millersburg classic, the Peoples Vase. This is the first published image we know of, where all three of them are shown in a single arrangement!

All three of them were first illustrated singly in our “Art of Carnival Glass” published 2004 by Schiffer.