Posted 10 years ago
MaryGregor…
(108 items)
Several times now I've posted examples of Loetz decors that are confusing to me and other Loetz collectors. I'm speaking of "Norma", "Delphi", and "Silberiris" decors. My purpose of this post is to start an open dialogue about how others would describe these decors, their similarities and their differences.
This is what I have observed. The photo from left to right is 1) Norma, 2) Delphi, 3) Silberiris. All with green grounds.
1) Norma appears to have the most dense application of gold and silver powder over the surface creating a thick, but still semi-opaque (almost pitted looking) covering. When you look at the glass from the inside, it appears as if there is a first layer of spots, and then multiple layers of gold and silver powder over it (or vice-a-versa). From the inside, the finish gives the glass a spotted look almost resembling the "Diana" decor. The finish also gives the glass a highly electric, multi-colored iridescence.
2) Delphi appears to have the lightest application of silver powder over the surface. It seems to be a layer of silver powder and then a second layer of silver-blue applied in spots. From the inside, the glass has a very faint blurred spot look. The finish gives it a faint silvery blue spotted finish that almost resembles Papillion.
3) Silberiris appears to be somewhere in the middle with a single layer of gold and silver powder. It is applied in an even fashion. From the inside there is no discernible spot pattern at all. The finish on the outside gives the glass a silvery gold almost metallic look.
Now, what do you think?
I think that Delphi has proven to be hard to pin down. The "Delphi" sample tile in Neuwirth (Loetz 1900), p.220, plate 211 - shows that Delphi and Silberiris look almost the same, except that Silberiris has a pink/violet iridescence, and Delphi has a blue iridescence. On the sample tile, the iridescence appears to be uniformly applied, not in spots. It's the appearance of the blue spots that has always given me pause.
The amazing thing that I see with these decors is how much they change depending on the ground. Crete ground is the only one I have in all three decors. But I do have silberiris on a candia ground and it shows more greens and pinks, whereas on a crete ground it show more greens and blues and on a cobalt ground it looks mostly blue. Delphi is the only one that is always on a green ground. My example is on a Russian Green ground, but I'm not sure if all Delphi are on Russian Green or just any green. Neuwirth's samples only show certain ground colors. The Delphi sample looks to me like an extreme closeup, but if you look at it closely, you can see that the blue is in an irregular spot pattern just like my vase.
I will also add that my Delphi has a DEK pattern in gold over the top which breaks up the color underneath.
I have one, too- same DEK pattern:
http://www.collectorsweekly.com/stories/115686-loetz-delphi-vase-with-etching-ink-decor
Good discussion!