Loetz Cephalonia Goblet or Vase

Loetz aficionados know that this décor was introduced around 1904. Roman glass of antiquity was quite the rage at the time, and Loetz introduced this line in keeping with popular tastes and in homage to that style. The base glass is similar to Olympia, but it has inclusions and applied spots of verdigris colored patina to help give it that weathered look.

This example approaches 9 inches in height and four inches in diameter, and it has all of the bells and whistles. Two applied tendrils of glass wind their way from the base to the polished rim. It is hand decorated around the top and base with a repeating classical pattern of swirls in gold enamel. The metallic oxide iridescence is reminiscent of the natural iridescence found on excavated Roman glass. The pontil on the base is polished and finished in the manner commonly found on Loetz objects. Best of all, the glass has high Uranium content and it glows bright green under UV illumination.

It has been over ten years since I was fortunate enough to buy this from my friend Famatta, and it has been on the top shelf of my best display case ever since.