Loetz Papillon Vase, Cobalt spreading to Candia, ca. 1936

In the 1920s and 1930s, the Loetz factory made a variety of works on new forms with a retrospective flair, incorporating classic decors from the turn of the century in new combinations. One such piece is this large vase in a somewhat plain shape made dramatic by the combination of Cobalt Papillon spreading to Candia Papillon. Both the color of the glass ground and the decoration undergo a soft transition to the lighter color on the bottom half. The last photo shows the size of this vase in relation to a couple of similarly shaped vessels in Art Deco-era decors pink Campanula and Brillantopal. Though the company was in financial dire straits during this time, the director Fritz von Spaun valiantly attempted to keep the artistic output at a level befitting the history of the firm.

(see Loetz Bohemian Glass 1880-1940 (Hatje Cantz)