Loetz Candia Papillon vase, PN I-7597 ca. 1898, crossed arrows mark

Papillon (Candia, in this case) is a quite commonly found Loetz decor, but in 1898, it was brand new... introduced as a novelty. According to Loetz Bohemian Glass 1880-1940 (Cantz), this engraved crossed arrows mark with "Austria" underneath is found "on a few pieces made in 1898". I have seen the mark on more elaborately decorated pieces, and on a few pieces of Papillon over the years. One thing they all have in common - a production number dating to 1898. It wouldn't surprise me if the Papillon pieces that bear this mark were promotional in nature- part of an effort to draw attention to this soon-to-become wildly successful decorative line by Loetz.