Art Nouveau Crete Iridescent Green Glass Vase by Loetz Witwe, 1900

Details

Description

A rare and exceptionally attractive loetz witwe iridescent art glass vase, dating to approximately 1900, with a slender bottle-neck form, … Read more A rare and exceptionally attractive loetz witwe iridescent art glass vase, dating to approximately 1900, with a slender bottle-neck form, softly dimpled body and richly iridescent green “crete” surface.

standing approximately 20.3 cm (8 inches) high, this elegant vase exemplifies the extraordinary experimentation with surface texture and iridescence for which the celebrated bohemian glassworks of johann loetz witwe became renowned during the height of the art nouveau period.

the vase is particularly distinguished by its lime-green, textured surface, with numerous softly raised and recessed areas creating an organic, almost mineral-like appearance. The slender neck rises elegantly from the rounded body, giving the piece a particularly graceful silhouette.

the iridescent surface is where this vase truly comes alive. Under subdued indoor lighting, the glass can appear a rich, deep green, while exposure to strong natural sunlight reveals an extraordinary range of colours across the surface, including gold, pink, blue, purple and turquoise.

the changing colours are a characteristic and highly desirable feature of loetz iridescent glass, with the appearance varying dramatically according to the direction and intensity of the light.

the softly textured surface and dimpling are particularly effective in catching and scattering the light, giving the vase an almost jewel-like quality.

a wonderful piece to display as a standalone objet d'art, although its slender neck would also make it particularly effective with a single specimen flower or delicate botanical arrangement.

measurements

height: 20.3 cm (8 in.)
maximum width: approximately 8.9 cm (3½ in.)

condition

excellent antique condition. No chips or significant damage noted. The iridescent surface remains exceptionally attractive, with the colours displaying beautifully under both artificial and natural light.

loetz witwe

johann loetz witwe, commonly known simply as loetz, was one of the most important producers of art nouveau art glass in bohemia, now part of the czech republic.

the factory's history dates back to the 19th century, eventually passing into the hands of maximilian ritter von spaun, who inherited the works in 1879. Under his influence, loetz entered a period of remarkable experimentation and artistic development.

during the 1890s, the company began producing the extraordinary iridescent glass for which it is now internationally celebrated.

loetz developed its own distinctive interpretation of iridescence, producing glass that could rival the work of contemporary american and french makers while retaining a distinctly central european character.

the factory experimented with numerous techniques, colours and surface treatments, including papillon, phänomen, rusticana, formosa, crete and other highly textured and iridescent effects.

the company's work was exhibited internationally and distributed through prestigious dealers in major european cities.

loetz also collaborated with and was influenced by important designers of the period, including koloman moser, marie kirschner, joseph hoffmann, otto prutscher, dagobert peche and leopold bauer.

a fine art nouveau example

the combination of the slender bottle-neck silhouette, organic dimpled texture, intense green colouration and spectacular iridescence makes this a particularly appealing example of loetz's experimental art nouveau glass.

the vase is especially effective when placed where it can receive changing natural light, allowing its surface to reveal different colours throughout the day.

a sophisticated addition to a collection of loetz, bohemian art glass and european art nouveau, and a beautiful standalone decorative object for a contemporary or period interior. See less