Loetz vase Medici PG 2/484 ca. 1902

Around 1900, at the height of the Art Nouveau movement, glass production in Klostermühle was defined by two distinctive design elements: intricately wound and combed thread decorations, and a shimmering, metallic iridescence. This sophisticated technique was introduced to the Loetz glassworks in 1898 and soon became widely known under the term Phänomen-Glas. Vessels produced in this manner rank among the most technically advanced, artistically refined, and commercially successful creations of the manufactory.
The Medici decor, also referred to as Phänomen Genre 2/484, is one of the most striking designs in this series. Irregular, tongue-like trails in shimmering green-gold stretch across the body of the vase, which rests on a square base that narrows as it rises. The rim is pulled into sharp, extended points that lend the form a bold sense of movement and tension.
Depending on the angle of the light, the iridescent surface reveals a nuanced spectrum of color – an impressive testament to the technical virtuosity and artistic sophistication for which Loetz continues to be celebrated today.