Posted 8 years ago
LoetzDance
(10 items)
I love studying the colors and shapes produced by the various Bohemian glass companies during the Art Nouveau period. While Loetz is my area of expertise, I have also acquired several examples produced by Kralik, Rindskopf, Poshinger and PK. While archival documentation is limited for the other Bohemian glass companies, we do have access to much information that we can study. In addition to the many books published on the subject, the Passau Glass Museum offers a wealth of wonderful information for the collector that wants to study this glass. I have spent many days photographing the glass in the cases at the PGM. Take PGM Poshinger case #16 for example. On the top shelf we have a vase that is identical in size and shape to the one that was posted by Al the other day. (see 1st photo). Notice that the PK example sold by Quittenbaum that was also posted is slightly different in shape from the two Poshinger examples. Next we have two known Poshinger shapes located on the bottom shelf of PGM case #16, one of which exhibits the same ground color and red veining as Al's new vase. Finally, if we still wonder whether other Bohemian glass companies could have produced vases with a green ground & red veins, then all we have to do is look at the bottom shelf of the PGM's "PK" case #117. There we can see a vase that is identical in shape and decor to the last photo that was posted by Al. BUT if you look closely the ground color and veining of the PK example is slightly different in color from the Poshinger examples. Thanks to the PGM and their willingness to let collectors take photos of their collection, we can compare known decors and shapes produced by the various Bohemian glass companies and compare them to examples that we may later acquire. I have added a photo to this discussion to show how a study of both shape AND decor can help to identify and document a particular glass house's production. Here we have two green w red veined examples (the light saturation in the photo of the 2nd piece makes it difficult to see the red veins) produced in the same shape, a crackle example along with a known Posheringer decor in white with blue frit all in the same shape. Even though we know that Poshinger as well as other Bohemian glass houses produced examples in each of these decors, only by seeing the white vase with the blue frit which is a known Posheringer decor in the same shape as the others can we document the green & red veined vases as clearly being produced by Poshinger.
Excellent post. And how I envy you having being able to spend hours photographing glass at Passau! :)
Thanks for the educational post-- a benefit to all!
scott
oldebodie, a good question. The answer is that there can be variables in the Bohemian glass made during this era but usually these variables are only slight for two reasons. 1) c1900-1920's Bohemian glass was "mold blown" so they are made to have exactly the same shapes. However, once taken out of the mold, they are often hand worked & finished with various features added such as threading, rims, handles, decoration, etc. which can create slight variations. 2) Ground colors are usually very uniform because they are made like a "cake" with a recipe of chemicals that is measured and mixed exactly according to a specific formula. But decors or decorations added to the molded base glass (threading, embellishments, lines and figures drawn, etc.) applied after the piece is removed from the mold are again subject to variations because they are hand worked, heated and reheated by the glass blower.
Dear Deb,
I still remember with great joy strolling and photographing at the Passau Glass Museum. Now, your excellent post and your experties claryfy again the correct assignment of Alfredo's vase to Poschinger instead of his assignment to Pallme-Koenig.
We have been back to the PGM three more times since seeing this wonderful collection for the first time and meeting you and some of the other members of our "Glass Hound" group in person. Thanks, my friend, for arranging our personal tour of the museum with Herr Höltl and for loaning me your large black cloth so I could get better photos without the glare! My PGM photos have helped to discover and document new Loetz decors for Loetz.com and helped me learn more about the decors and shapes produced by the other Bohemian glass companies. What a treasure this museum is!
Beautiful colors :)