Loetz Monumental "Argus Phanomen" Vase, Austria circa 1902
View Similar Items
Loetz Monumental "Argus Phanomen" Vase, Austria circa 1902
About the Item
- Creator:Loetz Glass (Maker)
- Dimensions:Height: 10.25 in (26.04 cm)Diameter: 5.5 in (13.97 cm)
- Style:Jugendstil (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:Glass,Other
- Place of Origin:
- Period:1900-1909
- Date of Manufacture:circa 1901
- Condition:
- Seller Location:New York, NY
- Reference Number:1stDibs: 1503069763231
Loetz Glass
Best known to collectors for their magnificent Marmoriertes and Phänomen glass creations, the Loetz Glass company was a leading Art Nouveau producer of fine glass vases, bowls and other decorative objects through the mid-19th and early 20th centuries.
Shortly before his death in 1855, attorney Frank Gerstner transferred sole ownership of his glassworks company to his wife Susanne. The company, which was founded in what is now the Czech Republic in 1836 by Johann Eisner, was renamed Johann Loetz Witwe by Susanne Gerstner as a tribute to her late husband who preceded Gerstner, a glassmaker named Johann Loetz (Loetz was also known as Johann Lötz).
For 20 years, Gerstner led the company, expanding its manufacturing and distribution capacity. It proved profitable, but the glassworks' popularity didn't start gaining significant momentum until after Gerstner transferred sole ownership to her grandson Maximilian von Spaun in 1879.
Von Spaun and designer Eduard Prochaska developed innovative techniques and solutions for reproducing historical styles of decorative glass objects, such as the very popular marbled Marmoriertes glass — a technique that lends glass an appearance that is similar to semi-precious stones such as onyx or malachite. Under von Spaun’s leadership, the firm’s works garnered them success in Brussels, Vienna and Munich, and Johann Loetz Witwe won awards at the Paris World Exposition in 1889. In 1897 von Spaun first saw Favrile glass in Bohemia and Vienna.
The work in Favrile glass, a type of iridescent art glass that had recently been developed and patented by Louis Comfort Tiffany, founder of iconic American multimedia decorative-arts manufactory Tiffany Studios, inspired von Spaun to explore the era’s burgeoning Art Nouveau style — or, as the firm was established in a German-speaking region, the Jugendstil style.
The company partnered with designers Hans Bolek, Franz Hofstötter and Marie Kirschner and thrived until von Spaun passed it down to his son, Maximilian Robert.
With the Art Deco style taking shape around the world, the company was unable or unwilling to adapt to change. Loetz Glass collaborated with influential names in architecture and design, including the likes of Josef Hoffmann, a central figure in the evolution of modern design and a founder of the Vienna Secession. Unfortunately, the glassworks’ partnerships did them little good, and the company’s mounting financial problems proved difficult to navigate. Two World Wars and several major fires at the glassworks took their toll on the firm, and in 1947 the Loetz Glass Company closed its doors for good.
Today the exquisite glass produced by Loetz Glass Company remains prized by collectors and enthusiasts alike.
On 1stDibs, find antique Loetz Glass Company glassware, decorative objects and lighting.
- Austrian Jugendstil Glass Vase Argus Decoration circa 1902 Johann Loetz WitweBy Loetz GlassLocated in Klosterneuburg, ATAustrian Jugendstil Glass Vase Johann Loetz Witwe with Argus decoration PG 2/351 ca. 1902 The “Argus” decoration is one of the most popular varia...Category
Antique Early 1900s Austrian Jugendstil Vases
MaterialsGlass, Blown Glass
- Small Vase Loetz Argus Decoration circa 1902 Blue Bronze Austrian JugendstilBy Loetz GlassLocated in Klosterneuburg, ATSmall vase manufactured by Johann Loetz Witwe with Argus PG 2/351 decoration ca. 1902 Blue Bronze Yellow Austrian Jugendstil The “Argus” decoration is one of the most popular varian...Category
Antique Early 1900s Austrian Jugendstil Glass
MaterialsGlass
- Loetz Art Nouveau Vase, 'Argus', Phenomenon Gre 2/351 Austria-Hungary circa 1902By Loetz GlassLocated in Vienna, ATMold-blown body widening conically upwards, on a flush, round stand, a constriction forming the narrow shoulders with a wide opening, flared rim of the mouth, polished pontil with th...Category
Antique Early 1900s Austrian Art Nouveau Glass
MaterialsGlass
- Conch Shell Glass Vase Iridescent Handmade Loetz Austria Jugendstil circa 1902By Loetz GlassLocated in Klosterneuburg, ATConch Shell Glass Vase Handmade by Johann Loetz Witwe Austria/Bohemia Jugendstil circa 1902 "Diaspora" Decoration The naturalistically depicted shell and snail vases...Category
Antique Early 1900s Austrian Jugendstil Vases
MaterialsArt Glass, Blown Glass
- Glass Vase Cytisus Decoration Lemon Yellow Green Blue Loetz circa 1902 AustriaBy Loetz GlassLocated in Klosterneuburg, ATAustrian Jugendstil glass vase "Cytisus Lemon Yellow" decoration Johann Loetz Witwe yellow green blue circa 1902 The “Cytisus” decoration is certainly one of the most exquisite decor variations created by the Loetz glassworks. With its shimmering gold particles, it reflects the secessionist ornamentation of turn-of-the-century Vienna. In this way, Max Ritter von Spaun and his collaborators proved that they had their finger on the artistic and aesthetic pulse of the times. Executed in the form of a reduced flower calyx with five indentations in the wall and a five-pass distorted mouth, this vase fits into the style of production around 1902. The fused crumbled dots seem to float on the vase like lightweight gold particles. The complex decoration as well as the technically elaborate glass body are evidence of the great mastery of the glassblowers in Klostermühle and show why the Johann Loetz Witwe glass manufactory was one of the leading producers of precious luxury glass in Vienna 1900. Bib.: J. Lnenickova, “Loetz – Series II Paper Patterns for Glass from 1900...Category
Antique Early 1900s Austrian Jugendstil Vases
MaterialsGlass
- Austrian Jugendstil Floral Glass Bowl Loetz Red Gold circa 1902By Loetz GlassLocated in Klosterneuburg, ATAustrian Jugendstil floral glass bowl Johann Loetz Witwe red gold circa 1902 "Cytisus Maigruen" decoration The "Cytisus" decoration, also known as "golden rain", is one of the mos...Category
Antique Early 1900s Austrian Jugendstil Decorative Bowls
MaterialsGlass