Art Deco 1920s Heinrich Hoffmann Bohemian Glass Pin or Ash Trays With Smoking Men

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Set of 3, vintage 1920s, square Art Deco style, intaglio Art Glass Pin or personal Ash Trays by Heinrich Hoffmann … Read more Set of 3, vintage 1920s, square Art Deco style, intaglio Art Glass Pin or personal Ash Trays by Heinrich Hoffmann (see Notes below) with a central scene of 3 Dutch men smoking together. These high quality, small, 8-sided cut corner square crystal trays, were probably personal ash trays that were made to accompany matching pieces such as cigarette holders for a gentleman's home smoking setup. These clear glass trays were made by blowing the glass into molds and the accents were etched by hand on the bottom. The motifs show a group of 3 men dressed in apparel of Dutch workers of the period enjoying a chat and a smoke together. The quality of the crystal work for which Hoffman pieces are known, shows especially in the intricate details of the curling smoke and the wrinkles in the cloth of the clothing. These trays measure 2 1/2" square and 3/4" high in the sides. The butterfly mark of Hoffman's crystal operations can be found on the lower right of each little tray. A handsome and charming set of ash trays for a bar, den or comfortable lounge area.

Notes:

Heinrich Hoffmann (1875-1939) was a prominent Czech glass designer in the early 20th century, known for luxury Art Deco and Art Nouveau-style vanity glass and decorative molded glass inspired by designers like Rene Lalique. The pieces were produced in Bohemia and largely sold in Paris. Hoffman was well known early for his Jet Black crystal as well as other innovative products. He also developed a technique to produce fine quality pressed and frosted glass with the appearance of cut glass, which was referred to as Intaglio cutting. In the late 1920s, Hoffman was part of the new surge in luxury glass production in Bohemia, producing architectural elements, lighting fixtures, perfume bottles and vanity pieces such as bowls, trays, glasses, etc., taking on an industry dominated by Venetian and French producers. Together with his colleague Henry Schlevogt (1904-1984), Hoffman produced his own designs as well as those of famed contemporary artists. This was also a time when perfume producers started to sell their scents in decorative bottles rather than selling the perfumes to be put into crystal bottles sold separately. With the opening of his first retail outlet, Max Factor contracted with Hoffman to design and make vanity items as well as the bottles for his new scent line, using the packaging as another luxury statement for his brand. See less