Rare Loetz Leonida vase in mint condition, with polished pontil and with a seldom seen authentic Loetz Austria signature. This vase is highly iridescent with multicolored, unusual in both shape and color as was the best of Loetz production. Loetz patented a technique to produce the deep blue or gold metallic luster for which the company is best known, and it is still the most identifiable and most sought-after feature of Loetz glass. Reference Source: Loetz: Bohemian Glass 1880-1940 by Johann Lotz Witwe, Helmut Ricke, Jan Mergl

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Turn-Teplitz amphora Art Nouveau period female bust by the Reissner Stellmacher & Kessler (R St. K) Amphora Works in the Turn-Teplitz area of Bohemia c. 1900. Generally recognized as the first and arguably the best of the Amphora manufacturers, Reissner, Stellmacher & Kessel was established in the Turn-Teplitz region of Bohemia in 1892. Partners Hans and Carl Reissner, Edward Stellmacher, and Rudolf Kessel after Kessel took over the remaining factories of Alfred Stellmacher. This area of central Europe was close to Dresden, Germany and benefited from the long tradition of ceramics manufacturing among the peoples of eastern Germany. The ceramics Reissner and his 2 partners produced was known for its unique styles and the interesting glazes they used to create what became known as "Amphora" pottery or simply "Teplitz." Reissner, Stellmacher & Kessel (R. St. K.) displayed their work in America for the first time at the 1893 Chicago World's Fair where they were awarded a best in show prize and first attracted the attention of the American buying public. The base is properly marked with the red R. St. K factory mark as well as 1637K and the number 1192 impressed. The bust  stands 11.5" high to the top of the bonnet. Stellmacher was one of the finest producers from the Turn-Teplitz area at the turn of the century, where many fine artists worked. Take a look at the magnificent detail in the bonnet and face; there's a companion piece elsewhere in the gallery. Reference Source: Art Nouveau, 1890-1914 by Paul Greenhalgh

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Period Art Deco marble ashtray with bronze Art Deco woman dancer cold painted with red, blue, and gray highlights by Bruno Zach c. 1920. The piece is signed in the marble B Zach and measures 10.0" in diameter, and the bronze dancer herself stands 7" high. Bruno Zach liked to socialize with prostitutes and liked nothing better than to incorporate them into his work. Bruno Zach was especially known for his erotic work, some similar but many much more daring than the Bergman factory in Austria which also produced "naughty" bronzes during this period. Zach is recognized along with Chiparus as being at the forefront of challenging cultural norms during the Art Deco movement of the 1920s and 1930s. Reference Source: Art Nouveau and the Erotic by Ghislaine Wood

Large Loetz fan vase from the Annagelb mit dunkelblau line c. 1925 stands 8.0" high in green iridescent glass with purple and rose highlights. The vase has the traditional polished pontil and rounded bottom edge. The glass is subtly rippled for added style, a swirling effect which captures additional light and brings out the iridescent colors. Unmarked as is most Loetz; even experts have trouble authenticating some Loetz work. Loetz glass was made in many varieties since its founding in 1840. Johann Loetz died in 1848, but the factory was operated by his widow until 1879, when his grandson took over. It was his work during the Art Nouveau period of the early 20th century for which Loetz is best known today. Loetz was one of the few rivals of Tiffany at the turn of the century in the iridescent glass techniques now so priced by collectors. Reference Source: Loetz: Bohemian Glass 1880-1940 (Lotz) by Johann Lotz Witwe, Helmut Ricke, Jan Mergl

Period ceramic French Art Deco porcelain boudoir lamp. Beautiful Deco nude woman kneels over the flame against a blue backdrop. This piece is 15.5" long and 5.0" deep, and it's properly marked on the base by the manufacturer "D'Argyl" and underneath "France." Note the intentional crazing in the skin, which is very pronounced in this work and really adds a nice effect. Unusual and pure Deco style. Reference Source: Popular Art Deco Lighting: Shades of the Past by Herb Millman, John Dwyer

Evoking the forms of nature was one of the signature elements of the Art Nouveau movement, and Louis Comfort Tiffany introduced his 18 light pond  lily lamp to the world at the famous Paris Art Nouveau Exhibition. The bronze base is intricately shaped in the form of a pond lily, and one of the lily leaves is the on/off switch. With all original green patina, the base is signed Tiffany Studios, New York 383, and all the shades are gold Favrile iridescent glass and signed L.C. Tiffany. The fact that this lamp stands slightly higher than other Tiffany lilies and that all 18 shades are signed L. C. Tiffany and not simply LCT are suggestions that this was early production c 1900. Fabrication of Tiffany lamps began in 1885 on commission, with the majority of them being made between 1895 and 1920. It was not until 1899 that Tiffany publicly introduced the lamps for sale. Reference Source: Lamps of Tiffany by Egon Neustadt

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