Posted 11 years ago
Imbearly1
(7 items)
This is a green irridescent glass Martele pattern Loetz Kralik basket with a brass collar, handle and brass bats. I believe this is circa 1900-1920's. I collect Dracula memorabilia and art objects with a bat motif. This is the first piece that inspired my collection over 20 years ago, so it is obviously my favorite and most prized possesion. Although there is no makers mark on the piece, I was convinced that it was Loetz. Many years later I was looking at a Kovels Antiques and Collectibles newsletter (March 1998 issue) and on page 78 there was a feature article about a winter of 1997 Phillips auction in New York of Loetz irridescent glass. Pictured was an 8 inch tall Loetz irridescent vase with bronze mounted bats around the top. When I magnified the photo I realized they were the exact same bats that were mounted on my basket, which confirmed my suspicions that my basket was, in fact, Loetz. Their vase sold for $3,680 at the auction. I was still unsure of the exact pattern of the glass, though. On ebay February 19, 2010 I saw a covered sweetmeat jar with the exact pattern of glass. I discovered it was called Martele pattern. I have searched auctions and the internet and, although I have seen a few bat vases and some hanging lamps, I still have never seen a bat basket. I'm guessing it must be rare.
How quirky and cool is this! Clearly valuable too!