Topic: German purple vase with air bubbles -- Zwiesel? Or not?

[rocco]

I have this vase well over 10 years, always assuming it was from the "Florida" range by Heinrich Löffelhardt for Zwiesel.

I did a search yesterday for Zwiesel, but could neither find a piece in this colour nor a similar shape...
So I thought perhaps Gralglas, but although the rim does resemble some Baumann designs I didn't find it in the Gralglas book either.

So, who made it actually?

Quite thick glass, pink-purple cased clear with airbubbles on two sides, polished pontil mark, height 17 cm.

Thanks!
Michael

[dirk.]

Hi Michael,
think you´re right in thinking Zwiesel. The colour´s not so common but not unseen either. I´ve at
least seen an unmistakable Florida piece in this colour.
Wether your piece is part of that range is a different question...
To be honest I have a few questions:
Does anybody know the exact definition of that range? Is it defined by colour or shape or decoration?
Is there any reference?

[rocco]

Thank you so much, Dirk!

Sorry, I can't really help with your question what the name "Florida" refers to. On ebay it is frequently used for this type of Zwiesel vases, but that may certainly be wrong.
Lesley Jackson just states: "Löffelhard ... designed ... a series of coloured underlay vessels, sometimes containing bubbles, around 1970", without giving the name of a range (which she usually does) - so maybe it is the colour?

Anyway a nice vase, one of my "oldest" pieces of glass.
And rather uncommon, as from the about 50 pieces currently on German ebay there is none in this colour.
But I just saw that Astrid has one in her collection as well...

Michael

[astrid]

Yes, I've seen these Florida-type vases in various colours (and being able to compare them 'live' I'd certainly say they are of the same range). Most are azure blue - apart from this purple one they can also be found in yellow-ochre (also more uncommon than blue).

Astrid

[rocco]

Thanks, Astrid!
I once owned a jug from this "range" in dark green (if I remember correctly), which I gave away as a present...

BTW, Astrid: I like this unattributed vase in your web album!

Michael

[dirk.]

So do I... What makes you think it´s german, Astrid? Is there any clue?

Re Florida. I think blue is the most common, then green, then amber and purple. I did however see
one of those typical shapes in simply cased and I´ve got one in plain clear, which makes me think
only the decor may be called ´Florida´ regardless of shape.
Darn - if only the Löffelhardt book wasn´t so expensive... 

[astrid]

So do I... What makes you think it´s german, Astrid? Is there any clue?

It was sold to me as German, probably Gralglas, but that was before the Gral glas book was out. Couldn't confirm it as Gralglas, but left it in the German section. I guess I should transfer it to Unknown. It might be Scandinavian instead. I don't think the seller was very sure of its origins either.

Astrid

[flying free]

I just came across this labelled Joska jug today.

The bubbles aren't quite the same as your vase but thought it worth adding just in case:

https://shop.kusera.de/Joska-Crystal-jug-blown-in-blue