covering on base of vases?

[grammal]

Can anyone tell me what this is on the bottom of these vases. It is blue and looks like old cracked leather or heavy paper. Would the maker put that on there or the first owner.

[Bahner]

Hello, paper like that was used in Germany ca. 1900-1940 for photo albums, mostly to imitate leather. Probably a later addition by an owner to prevent scratches on tables. Best wishes, Bahner

[dognose]

Hi, Base coverings like the one's shown were usually applied to cover up loaded items, vases such as these would be top heavy when flowers were added so their bases were loaded with other materials to make them more stable and then covered over with this type of material, regards Trev.