Cause A Frockus

Collecting European Glass

Jan 30, 2015 | by Becky Oeltjenbruns

Let’s be honest. There’s something special about collecting glassware (and breakable items in general): their fragile nature and impeccable craftsmanship remind you of just how sturdy the vintage legacy is. And it’s very comforting to see your reflection in a treasured piece that has withstood the test of time. We’ve introduced you to a range of glassware genres – from the mass-produced but smile inducing carnival glass to the stunning Art Deco surface decorated glass. But if you are in the mood for more adventure, then read on as we discuss the joys of collecting European glass. Consider this article a brief tour of the major players in 20th century Europe. You may ask, why set your sights on the 20th century? What’s wrong with say… the 18th? Well, the 20th century was pretty special (and not just because this was the era for flapper girls). Unprecedented amounts of innovation and experimentation within the glass-making industry took place in this century and most collectors identify their wares by the cool new technique used to make it. So many distinct methods were created in this time that it can be hard to keep up, but follow along and you’ll be able to impress all your friends with your European Glass knowledge…

Italian Glass | It’s kind of a big deal

The Italians do so many things well: gelato, amphitheaters, and glassware (to name a few, obviously!). Since the 13th century a little island community, known as Murano (off the coast of Venice), has been the center point of the brilliant Italian glass movement. This small footprint is where master craftsmen invented techniques such as millefiori (literally translating to a thousand flowers), battuto (pictured here), and lattimo (an opaque glass that is milky in appearance).

Due to this proud history there are many amazing firms to check out, but we’ll pick out a couple special ones. First there’s my favorite – Venini. This company is considered a new kid on the block, being established in 1921. But for a relative youngster, they came out swinging and won the Grand Prize at the 1925 Art Deco Exhibition in Paris. Their fearless leader and art director Napoleone Martinuzzi (a sculptor by trade) pushed his designers and craftsmen to think outside the box. This credo resulted in some pretty distinctive designs – whimsical at times even – with an exceptional attention to detail. Martinuzzi was a guy who led by example, creating the retro pulegosi technique (which is when glass gets an opaque quality from the introduction of hundreds of tiny, controlled bubbles.)

Most companies would be happy with one creative genius, but not Venini. From 1933 through 1947 their design director was the brilliant architect Carlo Scarpa. Like Martinuzzi, he was an inventor and developed the tessuto technique. This involved incorporating threads of color into glass. I think this example is so beautiful! After the war the innovations kept coming and as a fun fact, Venini was one of the only Murano glass companies to invite foreign designers. So next time you see a Dale Chihuly piece, you can appreciate it a bit more knowing the Italian roots.

The other company that stands out in 20th century Italian glassworks is Barovier and Toso. They peaked in the 1950s thanks to their use of unique designs, rich colors, and intriguing textures. This firm is still active today – take a tour through their website to see the latest and greatest.

French Glass | Where passion takes shape

Like their Italian neighbors, the French also excel at food, music, and art. Interestingly enough, they also were centrally organized (although it was much looser). The Ecole de Nancy was an artistic community founded in 1904 by the artistic genius, Emile Gallé. This group included many of the main artists of the Art Nouveau age. Now this time period was pretty much the best for being a glass artisan. New techniques were developed like pâte de verre, cameo, and acid-etched glass. Pâte de verre was created by the firm Argy Rousseau and was composed of finely crushed glass molded together.

Another company that contributed to the bustling creative scene was Daum Nancy. Funny enough, this company was taken over by a lawyer who received it as an alternative form of payment. The lawyer, Jean Daum, wasn’t too thrilled with this acquisition initially. I mean, who can blame him, he was probably very happy being a legal eagle – what would he know about art glass?? But a quick trip to Paris in 1889 introduced him to the work of our pal Emile Gallé and Daum was hooked. The company made their most extraordinary pieces during the Art Deco period. In the long line of French artisans we have last, but certainly not least, the incredible René Lalique.

Scandinavian Glass | The cool kids on the block

The rise of the Scandinavian Glass empire can be attributed to a simple governmental decision. Take a moment to appreciate the full impact of that sentence – government supporting a rich artistic environment?? I’ll vote for that! In 1917 the Swedish government nudged their manufacturing sector along by asking them to hire artists in open design positions. That simple employment opportunity (coupled with the fact that the Scandinavian region was relatively stable during both world wars) paved the way for a rich legacy that thrives to this day. As you can probably guess, Scandinavian wares are defined by their streamlined appearance. Think modern. Let’s meet a few of the big influencers in this part of the world, shall we?

First off, we have the firm called Iitalla. Founded in 1881 they were buzzing along just fine until they hired Alvar Aalto to design for them in 1932 and they became insanely popular. Aalto’s vase for the Savory Restaurant in Helsinki (designed in 1936) is so beloved it’s being made to this day. Timo Sarpaneva’s legacy includes a variety of media: textiles, cast iron, and glass. His 1954 Orchid vase was voted House Beautiful’s “Most Beautiful Object of the Year.” (In fact a limited number of these are still made annually.)

Another firm making waves was Kosta. When they hired Vicke Lindstrand in 1950 their pieces went from clear and simple to engraved and detailed. The manufacturer Orrefors was also defined by its designers. Simon Gate and Edward Hald created a few iconic looks: one involved the engraving of figures and animals onto clear crystal and the other was the Graal techinque. This was designed with master glass blower Knut Bergkvist and involved placing layer upon layer of a colored glass over a clear foundation. Then the colored glass was cut to achieve the desired pattern. Perhaps one of the most well known innovations came from our friend Lindstrand and his colleague Edvin Ohrström. Ariel glass involves layering as well. In this instance clear molded glass contains controlled air bubbles over an opaque foundation. Here’s an example.

Czechoslovakian Glass | Bohemian Rhapsody

Czech glass is definitely a favorite among collectors and while most examples are found in vibrant reds or oranges, anything in pastel is considered hot to trot. (A little word play here as the pastels are specifically referred to as “tango pastels”. This nickname came about because two colors are combined and result in hues of blues, pinks, and whites.) Now the other countries we’ve mentioned so far set a pretty high bar for craftsmanship. A design may not strike your fancy, but it’s always going to be made well. When it comes to Bohmeian glass, that’s not always the case. Czech firms were known for either making wow-worthy pieces or things that make you go “meh.”

Manufacturers Moser Co. and Loetz were known for more yay’s than nay’s. Moser was founded by Ludwig Moser in the mid 1800s and he became the glass maker to the stars (thanks to a commission from King Edward VII). They were known for luxury items and elaborate crystal pieces. You’d see gold, crests, engraved patterns – the works. During WWII, the Germans seized control of the factory but after the war they became independent once more and are still active today. Loetz was pretty popular during the Art Nouveau period and came up with Papillon glass (nicknamed oil spot for its iridescent shimmer). The firm remained popular through the Art Deco years, but once the second world war hit, their offerings became less innovative.

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Cause A Frockus would like to thank all the resources linked in the above article as well as “Antiques Roadshow Collectibles” and the images in the public domain.

For our readers: If you had to choose: which country is your favorite?

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