20th-Century Loetz Silver-Overlay Vase
Appraised Value:
$2,000 - $2,500
IMAGE: 1 of 1
Appraisal Video: (2:05)
Appraisal Transcript:
GUEST: I brought in a vase that I have had in my family for a number of years. I had a great aunt that traveled through Europe in the mid-1920s, brought it back at that time. And, from that time, it's been in different households of different family members.
APPRAISER: Now, do you know anything about it beyond that?
GUEST: The only thing I know is that I've seen ROADSHOW, and I did a little research on the Internet, and I think it might be Loetz.
APPRAISER: Okay, well, it definitely is a Loetz piece. This is early 20th century with sterling silver overlay. Now, here, on the top, we have a little, faint, rubbed-out mark that says "sterling" on it. So we know these are thin sheets of sterling silver that are applied in this beautiful floral pattern. Now, underneath, we don't have any signature. Much of Loetz was never signed. The traditional wisdom was that signed pieces were only for export. But that may or may not be true, as with any generality. This is a ware, or a design called the Titania line. Now, this was 1905 on, and it was a move away from some of their iridescent ware that was very similar to what Tiffany was making at the turn of the century. Loetz, by the turn of the century, was recognized as the premier Bohemian art glass company. This beautiful feathering, and deep, rich colors, and gorgeous overall shape makes it probably one of the prettiest things that I've seen in the Loetz world. Now, do you have a sense of what it might be worth?
GUEST: Only from what I've seen in books. I've seen pieces that are similar to that-- different shapes, different sizes-- that are worth about $2,000...$1,500.
APPRAISER: Okay. I think it's undervalued material, but I would easily put an auction estimate at $4,000 to $6,000. It's a beautiful piece of glass, and a pleasure to see it.
GUEST: Thank you.
APPRAISER: Thanks for coming in.
