Posted 12 years ago
dasullywon
(62 items)
This is the latest addition to my collection; extra special thanks to both Jeff (cogito) and Tony (famatta127) for the TLC they provided to "The Jester" on its' way to my cabinet. This is one of the most amazing pieces of Bohemian glass I have ever owned, and my photos aren't a bad representation of what it actually looks like. I'm glad my photo-setup worked to capture the subtle tones of chestnut and bronze in the glass, accentuated by the wonderful "Streifen und Flecken" decor, and the shape is the capper! (pun intended).
I removed the question (is this Kralik or Loetz) HERE because it really doesn't matter which Bohemian glass factory made this vase. With his suit of "stripes and spots" this jovial character is resplendent in such fine regalia.
sehr schön
What's in a name? That which we call a Loetz,
By any other name would look as sweet;
So far, I think both, but you know how fluid the attribution game is between Kralik and Loetz...particularly since both shared artisans and limited production runs. Your pictures look great.
Thanks Jeff; long exposure with wide-open lens and natural key-light - bounce flash w/fill card (smart flash). It works for most iridescent surfaces.
Oz; I think Jeff did mention that parting with this vase was such sweet sorrow. It will be for me as well someday I imagine. Out out, glam spot!
Sorry, correction; long exposure stopped-down lens (for sharpness and color saturation). My mistake.
This is a lovely vase and I think your photos capture the colors of it beautifully. I owned a similar vase in this decor but in a different shape that I purchased from the same original dealer that your piece came from. Interestingly, examples of this decor as well as your Jester shape are displayed in the Passau Glass Museum in two areas: Josephine Hutte(Rm 6, case 7) & Unknown(case 132, Rm 28). While Loetz, Kralik and now JH are attributed with producing pieces in the S&F decor, the shape of this vase as well as the color actually points away from Loetz. There is no debate "among the glass collector circles" that "frankly this could easily change to Loetz as new information is uncovered". This is a great piece of art glass that stands on its own as desirable. It doesn't need the misleading Loetz spin to sell it, it sells itself!
Thanks, LoetzDance; I appreciate your expertise, love all the information you shared (thanks so much) and I am not disappointed by the Kralik identity at all. It is my mistake for mentioning Loetz; I was informed at the time of purchase that this IS Kralik. We both know there is a lot of confusion about certain attributions; especially when we remember back only a few years when "everything" was called "Loetz". Still today; look at Ebay and count how many of the listings actaully ARE Loetz (maybe 20% average, 30% on a really good day) and it's obvious that most of us need to learn a lot more about antique Bohemian art glass, me included. So, I want to thank you again for sharing the information, and I will keep on reading and learning. That's why this site is the best! :)
LoetzDance; Reading back I believe I missed your point - which is that the vase stands up by itself, regardless of who make it. I also misunderstood what you said about Loetz experts changing their minds - and I agree that putting a name-tag on it is never a done deal; as more information surfaces and minds are changed. Therefore I will remove the "Kralik-Loetz" handle and present it simply as "The Jester: Streifen Und Flecken." I hope this is more appropriate (and I vow to read more closely in the future): :)
Deb. Never tried to sell it as Loetz...only admitted that things could change. The recent firestorm over the new Heckert shape illustrations forcing all sorts of reattribution is a great example of how little we really know about even the best makers. The more I learn about Bohemian glass, the less I feel I really know.
I have included a link below to the photos that I took at the PGM of the cases where the examples of your vase are displayed and also the vase that I purchased 4 years ago that is similar to yours . Enjoy!
https://picasaweb.google.com/petersend22/StreifenUndFlecken?authkey=Gv1sRgCOCl5t2_pu_dUg
Those are great pictures, Deb! Seems like they have a Kralik SF and Loetz SF right next to each other in one of those pictures (if we go by base glass color).
Thanks for the link, LoetzDance; and for the comment cogito. The case that has TWO very similar vases is tremendous; wonderful! And I see the base glass/shape indicators too, so this really helps a lot. I need to go to the PGM myself I think. Thanks again! :)
I think the PGM photos are most likely correctly attributed to Josephinehutte as I have not seen these shapes in Kralik decors. Not sure who did the green S&F. Could be either Kralik, JH or another glass house.