Details:
Manufacturer: Johann Loetz Witwe
Decor: Phänomen Genre 2/..
Style: Jugendstil
Material: Molded and free-formed glass, reduced, improved pontil, iridescent
Color: Opal blue
Period: 1900 – 1909
Description:
This spectacular Johann Loetz Witwe Jugendstil vase belongs to the Phänomen Genre series and can be confidently dated to the period 1902–1903.
Johann Loetz Witwe, founded in 1836 in Klostermühle, was one of the most innovative glass manufacturers of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Their mastery of iridescent glass and groundbreaking decorative techniques positioned them at the forefront of Art Nouveau glass production. Inspired by the works of Louis Comfort Tiffany, Loetz introduced its own unique Phänomen Genre series in 1898, a collection that revolutionized the aesthetic possibilities of glass artistry. The firm’s success culminated in 1900, when it was awarded the gold medal at the Paris Exposition Universelle, further solidifying its reputation for technical and artistic excellence.
This vase is blown in a soft opal blue glass that gradually transitions to a more transparent hue, creating a delicate color gradient. The body is exquisitely decorated with iridescent vertical threads arranged in an elegant feather motif, a hallmark of Loetz’s finest Phänomen Genre designs. Along the length of the vase, four reddish-brown tadpoles with iridescent silver stripes are applied, adding a striking contrast and depth to the composition.
Due to a significant loss of archival records between 1901 and 1903, the exact Phänomen Genre classification of this vase remains unknown. However, based on its form, coloration, signature, and close comparisons to similar documented pieces, it can be attributed with great confidence to the production period of 1902–1903.
This vase exemplifies Loetz’s mastery of glassmaking, showcasing both their technical ingenuity and their ability to create ethereal, light-reflecting surfaces that continue to captivate collectors and connoisseurs of Jugendstil glass today.
Dimensions:
Height: 243mm / 9.56”
Diameter top: 48mm / 1.88”
Diameter body: 95mm / 3.74”
Condition: Excellent
Literature:
Sammlung Karl H. Bröhan – Berlin – Kunst der Jahrhundetwende und der zwanziger Jahre. Page 195
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