Posted 11 years ago
rebessin
(116 items)
At first I thought I had bought a vase made by Ruda Glassworks. The seller had stated that the manufacturer was Ruda. But I recognized the design from Smalandshyttan (a small glass factory near Johansfors, started 1947 and closed down 1976) and Joseph Schott design. I had a larger red like this by Schott, which I won at a sporting event during my youth period, but it disappeared when I moved to a new home long ago.
Perhaps this was a well-made Schott copy from Ruda? But I doubted and bought the vase when I was almost sure that it came from Smalandshyttan and was designed by Schott. And indeed, I think I can now say for sure that it is a true statement. I namely found a similar vase when I googled, which was labeled with both Smalandshyttan and Joseph Schott. Link here: http://retropolitan.bigcartel.com/product/1960s-josef-schott-vase
I've also never seen that kind of vases from Ruda.
The dimensions are as follows (measured from the outer parts):
Height - 12 cm
Width - 11, 5cm
Depth - 8 cm
It has a smoky gray underlay and is blown in a solid form. Finally processed by grinding of the opening. I like the design, late 1960 - or 1970's?
Facts about Josef Schott (from a memory article in the newspaper Barometern, after his death 2009):
Born in Czechoslovakia 1915. Art schools in both Salzburg and Berlin. Moved to Sweden after World War II. After a few years in Norway he returned to Sweden in 1955, where he was the head designer at Smalandshyttan for many years.
It's a fabulous pressed glass design, rebessin. It works well all around.
It's really fascinating how much glass factories and interesting designers existed in Sweden after WW II. I heard about Josef Schott, but didn't know that he was of Bohemian descent (in fact, in 1915 Czechoslovakia didn't exist yet, he was Austrian, and his name seems to indicate that he was part of the German population in Bohemia, but there also were Czechs with German names, it was a mixed culture).
very nice -- thanks for the information also
Rebessen, this is divine!
I've found more about Schott. He was born in Marienbad Bohemia, current Czech Republic. He worked in Sweden first as a jewelery manufacturers, then moved to Norway and back in Sweden 1955 at Smalandshyttan. He was also an famous painter and sculptor, and worked as an art teacher in Nybro where he built his house which he designed himself. In London is a bronze relief of the city's first mayor, Sir Thomas More, done by Josef Schott. Several of his works are also on display in public places in south Sweden.
Thanks everybody for your interest and corrections of Czechoslovakia/Bohemia!
I love Schott's designs, very underrated!