Loetz Iridescent Glass & Silver Overlay Vase

• Pontil Mark - A pontil mark, also known as a pontil scar, is a distinctive mark or scar found on the base of certain types of glass. It is a remnant of the glassblowing process and is particularly associated with handcrafted items made prior to the widespread use of automated manufacturing.
  
  The pontil mark is created during the final stages of production. After the glassblower has shaped and formed the glass object, it is removed from the blowing iron. At this point, the glass object is often attached to a solid rod called a pontil rod or punty for further shaping, finishing, or attaching additional components. The attachment point is typically at the base of the object.
  
  Once the glass item is complete, it is detached from the pontil rod, leaving behind a mark or scar on the base. This mark can take various forms, such as a rough or irregular surface, a concave or slightly recessed area, or a small circular scar. The presence of a pontil mark indicates that the item was handcrafted rather than mass-produced.
  
  Collectors and historians often use pontil marks as clues to determine the age, authenticity, and production methods of glass or ceramic pieces. Different types of pontil marks may suggest different techniques used in the production process. For example, an open pontil mark is one where the scar is left as an exposed, roughened area, while a closed pontil mark occurs when the scar is smoothed or covered in some way. It's important to note that not all handcrafted glass items have pontil marks, as some artisans developed alternative methods for finishing their work. In Edwardian times the pontil mark was oftern ground off leaving a concave circle in the centre of the base of the object.
  
  The use of pontil marks diminished with the advent of industrialization and automated manufacturing processes in the 19th and 20th centuries.
  
  

• Overlay Glass - Overlay glass is coloured glass that has been created by sandwiching two or more layers of different coloured glass together. The layers are fused together through a process of heating and melting in a glass furnace, and the resulting glass has a unique colour and depth that is not found in single-layered glasses.
  
  The technique of overlaying glass has been used for centuries, and was particularly popular in the Venetian glass industry during the Renaissance. Different colours of glass were layered to create intricate designs, and then the layers were carved and etched to create intricate patterns and details.
• Art Nouveau Period - The Art Nouveau period was a cultural movement that emerged in the late 19th century, and was characterized by its emphasis on natural forms, flowing lines, and a decorative, ornamental style. Art Nouveau was a reaction against the ornate and heavily stylized designs of the previous era, and sought to create a new, more organic aesthetic.
  
  Art Nouveau was characterized by its use of sinuous, curving lines, as well as a focus on natural elements such as flowers, vines, and other organic shapes. Art Nouveau designers sought to create a total work of art, in which every element of a building or object was designed to be harmonious with the overall design.
  
  Some of the most iconic examples of Art Nouveau design include the Paris Metro entrances designed by Hector Guimard, the works of the artist Alphonse Mucha, and the architecture of Victor Horta in Brussels.
  
  The Art Nouveau period was at its peak between 1890 and 1910, but began to decline in popularity by the start of World War I. However, Art Nouveau remains an important influence on design and art to this day, and continues to be celebrated for its emphasis on natural forms and decorative style.
• Engraved Glass - The method of decorating glass by marking the surface with a sharp intrument such as a diamond, metal needle or rotating cutting wheel. As pressure is applied to the surface, best results for engraving are achieved if the glass is of sufficient thickness. In the 19th century etching was used to decorate some table glassware that was too fine to take an engraving tool.
• Irridescent Glass - Iridescent glass has a shimmering or rainbow-like appearance due to the way it reflects light. It is created by applying a thin layer of metal oxides to the surface of the glass while it is still hot and malleable, which then creates an interference effect that produces a range of colours as the light reflects off the surface. The exact colours and patterns created by iridescent glass depend on the specific types of metal oxides used and the techniques used to apply them.
  
  Iridescent glass was first developed in the late 19th century, and quickly became popular for use in decorative art glass and stained glass windows. Some of the most famous examples of iridescent glass were created by artists such as Louis Comfort Tiffany and his studio, who used it extensively in their distinctive lamps, vases, and other decorative objects.
  
  

This item has been included into following indexes:

• Art Nouveau - glass objects 163
• Loetz (Austria / Bohemia) - glass makers 160