Johann Loetz Witwe – Phänomen Genre 1/473 vase 1901 - 1902

Johann Loetz (Lötz) Witwe Klostermühle

Glass
25 cm, ø 13 cm
ConditionExcellent
€ 5.950

Antiques Emporium

• About the artwork
  This impressive vase by Johann Loetz Witwe, one of the most important producers of Jugendstil glass from Bohemia, is executed in Phänomen Genre 1/473 and blown in the refined ground color pink. The vase has an elegant calabash shape with a flat, folded rim, a form that lends itself perfectly to this Phänomen Genre.
  
  The lower section of the body is richly decorated with iridescent spots, beautifully distributed across the surface and shimmering in silver and purple hues. The rest of the surface is subtly covered with a light silver iridescence, which enhances the depth and vibrancy of the pink ground color.
  
  The vase measures 25 cm in height and bears the signature “Loetz Austria” in the pontil. The production drawing of this specific model has unfortunately not been preserved, most likely lost during the major fire in the Loetz factory around 1902.
  
  Due to the exceptional way in which this glass interacts with light, it is nearly impossible to capture the true color of the vase in photographs. The pink ground color shifts dramatically depending on the angle and intensity of the light, constantly revealing new aspects of its character and play of colors. Moreover, the iridescent hues appear far stronger and more vibrant in reality than visible in the photos, making the object all the more impressive when viewed in person.
  
  Loetz in context
  The glassworks Johann Loetz Witwe, located in Klostermühle (Bohemia), stood at the very pinnacle of European glass art around 1900. The company gained international acclaim for its innovative iridescent glass, in which metallic sheen and deep colors are harmoniously combined. Their Phänomen Genre décors, such as this example, rank among the most iconic creations and display a masterful balance between artistic design and technical innovation.
  
  At the 1900 Paris World Exhibition, Loetz was internationally recognized alongside Louis Comfort Tiffany, firmly establishing its reputation as a leading producer of Art Nouveau glass. Today, Loetz objects are represented in major museum collections such as the MAK in Vienna and the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, and they belong to the most coveted pieces of Jugendstil glass on the art market.
• About the artist

  Lötz/Loetz was founded by Johann Lötz in 1840 and was a company based in Bohemia, in the Czech Republic, at the time Lötz belonged to the Empire of Austria-Hungary. In 1879, a grandson of Lötz, Max Ritter-Von Spaun, took over the business from his grandmother and kept the name Joh. Lötz Witwe.

  From that moment on, Johann Lötz Witwe really started to make a name for itself, they developed new innovative glass techniques, but their design and bright colors were also completely innovative. They designed special shapes and vases, luxury items, which they sold in luxury shops in Vienna, Berlin, Hamburg, Paris, London, Milan, Brussels and Madrid. It soon made them very well known and famous.

  It was the period that Art Nouveau or as it was called in Germany Jugendstil flourished. They used organic shapes, nature was their example, also for Lötz, they developed beautiful decors, resembling butterfly wings, such as the papillon decor of this vase, often the shapes were formed organically by using tongs to shape the hot glass unevenly , as also flowers are formed. But also an octopus or sea shells were taken as examples for their special vases and decors.

  Lötz participated in all kinds of World Exhibitions, including the famous World Exhibition of 1900 in Paris where they won the Grand Prize. They were awarded numerous prizes for participation in World Exhibitions. Max Ritter von Spaun also received special awards for his contribution to the glass industry, in 1883 he was allowed to use the Imperial eagle in their shield and seal, they were also allowed to use K.K. Put Private Glass Factory in front of their name. In 1889 he also received a knighthood from Franz Josef. But other royal houses were also involved. He received the Belgian Order of Leopold and the honorable French Legion d'Honneur.

  Their designs were popular, also in the United States. Tiffany worked with Lötz on the Favril set. Lötz patented some of their special techniques, such as the one they used to make the Phänomen decor. They were able to make iridescent glass. In short, Lötz had become a household name. And it still is.

  Lötz also worked closely with other glass manufacturers such as J.&L. Lobmeyer and E. Bakolowits Söhne in Vienna and with Argentor. In addition, Lötz worked closely with various artists, such as Josef Hoffmann, Koloman Moser, Franz Hofstötter, Michael Powolny and other artists from the Wiener Werkstätte. Michael Powolny was responsible for the much tighter tango vases of the 1920s.

  The First World War and the end of the Austrian Empire meant a difficult period for Lötz.
  Lötz existed until 1940, after a bombing raid the factory was completely burnt down. After WWII, the Czech Republic belonged to the satellite states of the Soviet Union, the factory was nationalized until it was finally closed in 1947.

  Lötz glass is still very popular and is collected worldwide, in addition, their oeuvre can also be found in many museum collections.

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