Topic: Purple/blue vase deco style

[obscurities]

Hi Hazel,

I am lucky in that I can be at times, according to Peggy, a little obsessive and will stop wandering for a bit. I am an internet research junkie. I also love reference books. I study early Bohemian (1890-1930 my biggest love), Mid Century Italian (1925-1970), Scandinavian and Mid Century Czech. I also study Steuben and have an interest in Dugan and have a few pieces of both also.

I am glad you got the Loetz piece inexpensively, and it sounds like it was damaged when you purchased it.....  I dropped a nice piece of glass coming in my front door once, many years ago, and years later it still bothers me. Makes me feel like I accidentally killed a friend.

For Kralik information you can go to www.Loetz.com and there is a section on it there. My friend Alfredo who authored that article, also has his own site at  http://sites.google.com/site/loetzandglass/Home. There is quite a bit of Kralik information there. He is doing groundbreaking research on glass of that period and region. He is starting a project where he has been cataloging marked Kralik decors. He is also doing some fascinating work on inkwell identification. There is not really anything I can point to that would help to directly identify the piece you have, but after looking at Kralik pieces for years, I just felt it was, and Alfredo agreed. They have some very unusual and striking clear cased decors. Unfortunately a large percentage of early Kralik glass is marketed as Loetz. They really made some stunning pieces.  As more is learned of the company and their glass output, it is amazing the variety and decors they had.

As far as the original vase goes, I have seen hundreds of images of Kralik vases over the years, many of them being marketed as unidentified but bearing their distinctive acid stamps for Czechoslovakia on the underside. Although the type of decor you have is not really documented well, it has an unmistakable Kralik look to it..... I would have to say it is one of the nicest pieces (as far as my taste goes) of Kralik I have seen in a long time. I love the Jugendstil period glass, but the Deco era piece you have is quite stunning, both the decor and the shape. Most of Al's work is focused on Jugendstil glass, as he does not collect the Deco era pieces.

I have also asked Alfredo about the Clear satin piece you posted an image of, as it does not really ring a bell with me, although it appears it could be an early piece of Glatt with overlay.  On this one I am deferring entirely to him. I will let you know.

If you want to read a fun story I posted go here.... 

http://www.glassmessages.com/index.php/topic,25818.msg142703.html#msg142703

It involves a Loetz find!! 

Craig

[glasseyed]

Hi Craig

I see our interests overlap, but where you have Stuben and Dugan I have Whitefriars and Ysart (plus various other English makers).

I need to make a major effort to try and identify a few more of my "not sure" catagory - I read your story about your great find and very much enjoyed it - nothing ventured, nothing gained. Also the links were good, I had visited the loetz.com site before but not Alfredo's site which is very interesting - and has further good links on it.

I'm glad I can now say Kralik when visitors ask what the vase is - it tends to grab the eye because the colours are so rich. The satin vase is stunning in normal light showing pink iridescent highlights - impossible to photograph - any information gratefully received.

Regards

Hazel

[obscurities]

Hazel,

I heard from Alfredo, and he is as stumped on the satin one as I am. If I come up with any thoughts I will let you know.  Alfredo's website is great, and much of the work he is doing is groundbreaking. As far as the original piece goes, the colors are fabulous, and the rich combination of them combined with the execution style is really signature Kralik for that period. The shape is one I have not seen before. I now have a piece of Kralik I need to look for.....  I have about a dozen quite varied pieces by them, but one like yours would be a great addition.

If you have any other pieces you are going to post, let me know. You should be able to access my email through the message board here.

Craig

[glasseyed]

Hi Craig

Thanks for your efforts with Alfredo. If I ever think of selling the Kralik vase I'll be sure to let you know.

I have posted another item for review.

Regards

Hazel