Best known to collectors for their magnificent Marmoriertes and Phänomen glass creations, the Loetz Glass company was a leading Art Nouveau producer of fine glass vases, bowls and other decorative objects through the mid-19th and early 20th centuries.
Shortly before his death in 1855, attorney Frank Gerstner transferred sole ownership of his glassworks company to his wife Susanne. The company, which was founded in what is now the Czech Republic in 1836 by Johann Eisner, was renamed Johann Loetz Witwe by Susanne Gerstner as a tribute to her late husband who preceded Gerstner, a glassmaker named Johann Loetz (Loetz was also known as Johann Lötz).
For 20 years, Gerstner led the company, expanding its manufacturing and distribution capacity. It proved profitable, but the glassworks' popularity didn't start gaining significant momentum until after Gerstner transferred sole ownership to her grandson Maximilian von Spaun in 1879.
Von Spaun and designer Eduard Prochaska developed innovative techniques and solutions for reproducing historical styles of decorative glass objects, such as the very popular marbled Marmoriertes glass — a technique that lends glass an appearance that is similar to semi-precious stones such as onyx or malachite. Under von Spaun’s leadership, the firm’s works garnered them success in Brussels, Vienna and Munich, and Johann Loetz Witwe won awards at the Paris World Exposition in 1889. In 1897 von Spaun first saw Favrile glass in Bohemia and Vienna.
The work in Favrile glass, a type of iridescent art glass that had recently been developed and patented by Louis Comfort Tiffany, founder of iconic American multimedia decorative-arts manufactory Tiffany Studios, inspired von Spaun to explore the era’s burgeoning Art Nouveau style — or, as the firm was established in a German-speaking region, the Jugendstil style.
The company partnered with designers Hans Bolek, Franz Hofstötter and Marie Kirschner and thrived until von Spaun passed it down to his son, Maximilian Robert.
With the Art Deco style taking shape around the world, the company was unable or unwilling to adapt to change. Loetz Glass collaborated with influential names in architecture and design, including the likes of Josef Hoffmann, a central figure in the evolution of modern design and a founder of the Vienna Secession. Unfortunately, the glassworks’ partnerships did them little good, and the company’s mounting financial problems proved difficult to navigate. Two World Wars and several major fires at the glassworks took their toll on the firm, and in 1947 the Loetz Glass Company closed its doors for good.
Today the exquisite glass produced by Loetz Glass Company remains prized by collectors and enthusiasts alike.
On 1stDibs, find antique Loetz Glass Company glassware, decorative objects and lighting.
Johann Lötz Witwe Art Nouveau Solirary Vase, Creta Papillon, Austria ca 1900
By Loetz Glass
Located in Vienna, AT
Finest Bohemian Art Nouveau Glass Vase: Mould-blown solitary vase on a flush stand; conically rising body, forming gently rounded shoulders; long, slender neck tapering further towar...
Glass
Vase Loetz Widow Klostermuehle Bohemia Art Nouveau 1900 Phaenomen Genre 85/3780
By Loetz Glass
Located in Vienna, AT
Vase Loetz (Lötz) Widow Klostermuehle Bohemia Art Nouveau Made by Loetz, Klostermuehle (Bohemia), circa 1899-1900 Decor: Phaenomen Genre 85/3780 It is a most remarkable Loetz...
Glass
Large Johann Lötz Witwe Art Nouveau Vase, Candia Papillon, Bohemia, Austria 1898
By Loetz Glass
Located in Vienna, AT
Large, mould-blown vase on a flared foot, widening upwards from a short, slender stem in the shape of a bud, flared rim above a slight constriction, colourless glass with a Candia fi...
Glass
Johann Lötz Witwe Art Nouveau Glass Vase Phenomenon Gre Crete 7767, Austria 1900
By Loetz Glass
Located in Vienna, AT
Finest Bohemian Art Nouveau Glass Vase: Shaped, blown, bulbous body with 12-lobed, slightly ribbed wall on a flush, round base, the wall raised to a spherical oval shape, slightly fl...
Glass
Johann Lötz Witwe Art Nouveau Vase, Argus, Phenomenon Gre 2/351, Austria ca 1902
By Loetz Glass
Located in Vienna, AT
Mould blown body widening conically towards the top on a flush round base, the rim shaped into a trefoil by impressions, polished pontil. Form: Prod. No. - PN 2/603, year 1902 Deco...
Glass
Johann Lötz Witwe Art Nouveau 3-Handles Vase Decor Crete Papillon, Austria c1898
By Loetz Glass
Located in Vienna, AT
Finest Bohemian Art Nouveau Glass Vase: Mould blown baluster shaped vase on flush stand, bulbous body with attached conical flared neck, three handles set on the side of the mouth r...
Glass
Viennese Art Nouveau bowl Johann Loetz Witwe Orbulin decoration ca. 1900
By Loetz Glass
Located in Klosterneuburg, AT
bowl, Johann Loetz Witwe, Orbulin decoration, ca. 1900 technique: glass, mould-blown and freeform, reduced and iridescent
Glass
Loetz Papillon Iridescent Glass And Metal Mounted Bowl
By Loetz Glass
Located in Dallas, TX
Loetz Iridescent Glass And Metal Mounted Bowl Czech Republic Circa. 1900 Unmarked Height. 7.25 Inches, Diameter 8.5 inches. Condition: Excellent AVANTIQUES is dedicated to providin...
Art Glass
Kähler, Danish Art Nouveau Ceramic Bowl
By Herman A. Kähler 1
Located in Kastrup, DK
Kähler Art Nouveau ceramic bowl. Decorated with polychrome glaze in a typical art nouveau pattern. Signed HAK for Herman A. Kähler. Approx. 1900-1910.
Ceramic
Vase Loetz sign: Czecho Slovakia , Style : Art Nouveau , Bohemia, circa 1920
By Loetz Glass
Located in Ciudad Autónoma Buenos Aires, C
Logistics and International Shipping We provide a comprehensive export service so that your only concern is enjoying your acquisition. • Door-to-Door Service: Pieces located in our Argentina galleries are shipped directly to your address via air freight. • Simplified Customs Management: We handle the processing of export permits and the payment of customs duties. You will receive your purchase without additional paperwork or surprise costs. • High-Security Packaging: Following FedEx international standards, each piece is protected in custom-made wooden crates, designed to withstand 1-meter impacts and ensure the integrity of the object during transit. • Note for shipments to the USA: To comply with shipping company regulations and ensure delivery at the destination, a valid tax ID (EIN, SSN, or ITIN) is required. • Domestic US Shipping: For those pieces available in our United States storage, logistics are managed through 1stdibs. Personalized Restorations Our team of expert artisans offers restoration services tailored to your aesthetic preferences and design needs: • Cabinetry and Polishing: We perform polishing work on woods, allowing for transitions from light to dark tones (including deep black finishes). • Upholstery: We reupholster chairs and armchairs with fabrics or leathers of your choice, guaranteeing a high-quality finish. • Lighting: We adapt ceiling lamps by shortening smooth rods to adjust them to the height of your rooms. • Metal Treatment: * Restoration of chromed or silver-plated bronze pieces to their original state. o Chroming or silver-plating services for bronze objects. Personalized Quotes: We would be delighted to advise you and provide a quote for any intervention according to your personal taste. Sign: Czecho Slovakia Loetz...
Art Glass
Blue Loetz Witwe Glass Bowl - Decor Papillon Iriscident, Bohemia, circa 1936
By Johann Lötz Witwe
Located in Lichtenberg, AT
Exceptional blue glass bowl with handles from the world renown bohemian glass art manufactory of Johann Loetz Witwe circa 1936, decor Papillon variation, design attributed to the fam...
Blown Glass
Michael Powolny Art Nouveau glass footed bowl for Loetz/Bohemian glass Czech.
By Bohemia Crystal, Michael Powolny
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Beautiful solid green glass and dark blue rim footed bowl . Traditional style for Michael Powolny .
Glass
