Vase

This pale-green glass, Art Nouveau vase has been attributed to the Bohemian glass manufacturer Johann Loetz Witwe. Resembling a goblet, the vase’s iridescent bulb-shaped bowl narrows to a slender stem that terminates with a circular foot. The bowl of the vase flares outwards at the rim and is finished with a silver neck ring.

A repeating pattern of long-stemmed flowers in applied silver encircles the vessel. Resembling a row of lilies or orchids, the flower heads have been linked together with a sinuous undulating line that is in sympathy with the aesthetics of the Art Nouveau style. The stylised symmetry of the flower’s petals and leaves complement the balanced form of the vase.

This vessel is similar in design and manufacture to object number: 21041 in the Sainsbury Centre Collection. The goblet and rosewater sprinkler are companion pieces. Both objects resemble the ‘Crete Papillon’ range of 1898 in their colour and oil spot finish. [1]

Austrian-born, Loetz (?-1844) founded the Loetz glassworks in 1840 in Klostermühle, Bohemia (now Klášterský mlýn, Czech Republic). [2] From 1879, under the direction of Max Ritter von Spaun, the company produced historical designs inspired by Roman excavated glass and art glass, which emulated hard stones such as onyx and intarsia. [3]

Bohemian glass from this period adapted to the Art Nouveau style, manufacturing iridescent and acid-etched glass that emulated the commercially successful glassware of Émile Galléand Louis Comfort Tiffany. Loetz worked with the avant-garde designers, Josef Hoffmann, Koloman Moser and Marie Kirschner to produce new and exciting work. [4]

Around 1851, Loetz’ widow, Susanne, received ownership of the company and renamed the glassworks Johann Loetz Witwe (meaning ‘Widow Johann Loetz’). [5]

Vanessa Tothill, January 2021

[1] https://www.loetz.com/decors-a-z/papillon/crete-papillon [accessed 15 January 2021], see object PN=346/365.

[2] https://hickmet.com/blogs/newsfeed/know-your-artists-johann-loetz

[accessed 26 November 2020]

[3] Paul Greenhalgh, ed., Art Nouveau, 1890-1914 (London: V&A Publications, 2000), p. 215.

[4] Greenhalgh, pp. 215-16.

[5] https://hickmet.com/blogs/newsfeed/know-your-artists-johann-loetz

[accessed 26 November 2020]