Posted 14 years ago
cbella
(6 items)
Found this hand blown and enameled piece at an estate sale. I have researched it off and on for a year and have found several similar but not exact examples. It could be original Bohemian or an early Moser 19th century. Experts, I could use your help. Thank you!
The genre for this piece is referred to as 'Bauernglas', or 'Volksglas' (both are German for peasant glass). Peasant glass is glass that was produced for the masses (common persons, i.e. peasants) who were unable to afford the finer glass.
Although peasant glass has been produced (and reproduced) for several centuries, mostly in Germany, and to a lesser extent in Bohemia, your example (and mine as well - see at the end) are modern pieces. These, according to the research that I have performed, were made in northern Austria for the tourist trade, between the 1930's and the 1970's. This type of peasant glass is plentiful at flea markets (swap meets to you west coasters) where it is available dirt cheap.
This glass is not very collectable in America, except for by those who think that its something that it is not, and myself. When it is found, this type of glass brings very little money. I collect it because it reminds me of my homeland, and my culture (folk art). I have amassed quite a large collection of peasant glass, for not a lot of money.
As mentioned, more often than not, I see peasant glass misattributed to well known glassmakers like Stiegel, Lobmeyr, Moser, and others, with prices to match, until I educate the seller on modern reproduction peasant glass.
My private library houses hundreds of books on German, Austrian, and Bohemian glass, however, none of them touch on this type of glass. Having collected peasant glass for 30+ years, and not having found any information in any glass book, I have been in contact with a well known German author of books on glass, as well as with a well know glass dealer in Germany. Some of the information that I have provided here, was provided by these two individuals.
Stiegel's enameled glass (most of which is wrongly attributed to Stiegel) is peasant glass.
I own an identical piece. Who knows, maybe I bought it from you!