Loetz Olympia Aesthetic Iridescent Glass Vase c.1910

This is a rare Loetz Olympia Iridescent glass vase which has a rounded conical body and tall cylindrical neck with flared rim - copying a Dresser design of the aesthetic movement. Characteristic iridescent surface sheen covering the exterior of the vase. Polished pontil mark to base. Probably designed by Max Emanuel after designs by Christopher Dresser. Drawings of Dresser's designs for James Couper & Sons (featured in 'The Studio' in 1898 for his landmark Clutha range) were discovered in the Loetz archive - showing how common plagiarism was at the time. The general form with, its attenuated neck was inspired by Eastern and Middle-Eastern objects Dresser saw in the South Kensington (now V&A) Museum. Dresser also stated that he was often inspired by Roman glass - an item of very similar form can still be seen in the British Museum.