Kralik Sohn Martelé Art Nouveau Iridescent Uranium Green Glass Vase c1910-1920

  

The shape of this piece is very tactile and organic. The contours are an excellent canvas for showing off the Martelé decor, with its iridescent sheen carrying hues of gold and pink and blue.

The Martelé decor, or'hammered' glass appears as hammered metal would, a tessellation of small different angles and the light ridges in the glass makes the overall effect resemble veins in a leaf, sometimes also drawing comparisons to snakeskin. As seen in the photo, it also glows under UV light especially at the base, indicating that it is Uranium or Vaseline glass. It stands approximately 80mm tall, 110mm wide with the opening being 60mm. This unique vase features a matte finish and hand-blown production technique, reflecting the art glass production style of the early 1900s. The green colour and intricate snakeskin effect make it a beautiful and original piece for any art lover or collector of vintage glassware. BIT OF HISTORY The Kralik glassworks, full name Wilhelm Kralik Sohne, was originally founded by Josef Meyr in 1815, in Bohemia. The factory was originally called Adolfshutte. When Josef died, his son Jan took over the company. By this time, the company owned four glass factories. Jan died in 1841, and his two nephews Josef Taschek and Wilhelm Kralik became the owners. The company name was changed to J. Meyr's Neffen, and when Josef died in 1862, the name changed to J.

Wilhelm Kralik died in 1877, and left the company to his 4 sons. The company was split in two - Heinrich and Johann took the name Wilhelm Kralik Sohne, Hugo and Karl used the name Meyr's Neffe.

Meyr's Neffe merged with Moser in 1922. Wilhelm Kralik Sohne continued to produce glassware until World War II. There are no cracks, but a few tiny nibbles to the edge and a slight chip that is still intact (see pictures). There is mild wear (small number of very faint scratches) to the iridescent decor that is commensurable with the age of the piece - please see photos as part of the condition report - but overall in remarkable antique condition. There is a tiny dark mark inside the interior glass which is a blemish from the manufacturing process, a common feature of handmade glass from this period. The photos form part of the description so please study carefully. Get in touch if you have any questions!