Johann Loetz Witwe – Phänomen Genre 377- silver overlay 1900 - 1902

Johann Loetz (Lötz) Witwe Klostermühle

GlassSilver
17 cm, ø 14 cm
ConditionExcellent
Price on request

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• About the artwork
  This impressive vase by Johann Loetz Witwe is crafted in the Phänomen Genre 377, a décor renowned for its unique surface texture, iridescent flowing patterns, and vibrant color combinations. This distinctive surface texture adds a tactile dimension, beautifully capturing and reflecting light, giving the vase a lively and almost mystical effect. Blown in a rich cobalt blue hue, the vase exudes a deep, mysterious color that enhances its enchanting appearance. Standing at 17.5 cm tall, the vase has an imposing presence, further accentuated by the elegant floral decoration of thickly applied silver around its neck.
  
  The silver mount, marked “Sterling” and bearing the décor number “X3016,” was added in the United States, where decorative silver mounts were often applied to glass objects to make them more exclusive and valuable. Adding silver was a popular technique at the time, not only increasing the aesthetic value of the object but also emphasizing its status as a luxury item. The silver decoration on this Loetz vase is striking and meticulously applied, featuring rich, detailed floral motifs that beautifully contrast with the iridescent cobalt blue glass.
  
  The silver not only gives the vase a refined and exclusive appearance but also adds an artistic value. The combination of the delicate glass and the robust silver enhances the visual impact, with the silver accentuating the intense blue glass and further highlighting the object’s beauty. This mount is not just an addition but a carefully chosen element that elevates the entire design, making the vase a true collector’s item that reflects both the artistic and material value of Loetz glass.
• 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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