Topic: Are these two tango tastic?

[glassobsessed]

Two from my father here, finely made, translucent white covered in clear glass (cased?) with blue stripes on top and blue rim. Polished pontil, a little over 3 inches tall and 4 inches in diameter (9 & 11cm).

I am not mentioning Powolny nor the L word.

Marks on the rim in last photo are dirt cleaned them now

Interested in any info as to their origins.

Thanks, John.

[obscurities]

Hi John,

Although it is hard to make a rock solid 100% determination without some reference documentation showing them, here are my thoughts.  The shape is quite similar to a Tango form shown in the Passau Museum cases under decorated and standard Tango for Loetz. The shape can be seen both with and without handles on it, and it was made in various sizes in that form.

As far as Powolny goes, there is a Powolny piece in the Powolny Passau cases that is done in the same blue and white with vertical stripes and a blue rim. Different shape, but the same decor. Most of the Powolny pieces that are actually his, not all of the stuff that ebay sellers say is his, have vertical striping like these do.

Following Alfredo's hypothesis, if we can identify the form as belonging to a company, and also identify the same decor in a different shape, then we can lead ourselves to a reasonable conclusion....

Based on these comparisons, which are the best information we have to go on without an actually picture that identifies the pieces as such, I would attribute them to both the "P" word and also the "L" word. Their size, also being on the small side, would lead me in that direction....  

I also sent one of your images to Alfredo, and his response was that they look just like what Powolny looks like....  I don't think he cares for the look much...

But personally, I love them....  clean, stark, and highly contrasted..... An amazingly modernist design for the period they were designed in....... They would be right in sync with today's products...... 

Very cool pair.....  wish they were mine    :mrgreen: :mrgreen: :mrgreen:

Hope this helps

Craig

[glassobsessed]

Craig that is very interesting, thank you for the info, it definitely helps. I agree that their simplicity is appealing, and that they must have seemed incredibly modern for their time. The early 20th century did see some remarkably modern design in both furniture and architecture that still looks contemporary today.

A pity they are my fathers and not mine.

John.

[obscurities]

John,

You are welcome.  This era and region of glass are my greatest interest of study. I find the diversity of the glass designs done at the time to be fascinating.

Craig