Loetz Diana Cisele pitcher, PN II-237, ca. 1900

This is a nice vase turned pitcher by Loetz, ca. 1900. This form, series II production number II-237, was also commissioned by Max Emmanuel, London (production number 346/348). The production notes in Lötz Böhmisches Glas 1880-1940: Band 2 Katalog der Musterschnitte, show that II-237 came in two decors - Diana Cisele mit gold and Genre 7624. The Max Emmanuel versions came in a few other decors - I have seen examples of this shape in creta glatt and olympia (interestingly also shades of green)

Diana was Loetz's name for this particular shade of green - Diana Cisele is a green oil spot; in this case, applied onto a clear ground, with a clear frosted handle and spout (yes, it works).

Green Loetz (whether glass or decoration) is seen by some collectors as rather common or ordinary, but as green is my favorite color, I am reminded of how Kermit the Frog once famously sang:

"It's not that easy bein' green
Having to spend each day the color of the leaves
When I think it could be nicer being red or yellow or gold
Or something much more colorful like that

It's not easy bein' green
It seems you blend in with so many other ordinary things
And people tend to pass you over 'cause you're
Not standing out like flashy sparkles in the water
Or stars in the sky

But green's the color of Spring
And green can be cool and friendly-like
And green can be big like an ocean
Or important like a mountain
Or tall like a tree

When green is all there is to be
It could make you wonder why
But why wonder, why wonder?
I am green and it'll do fine
It's beautiful!
And I think it's what I want to be"

(song written by Joe Raposo)