Inwald Art Deco Amber Glass Bohemia Czech 1930

Art Deco pressed amber glass vase from Northern Bohemia 1930. Manufactured by Josef Inwald, Bohemian glass and crystal became famous throughout the world. This  very heavy and beautifully detailed vase with a dramatic three-dimensional treatment depicting trees and natural forms. Made to the highest quality, to me, the details are equal to many of the great French companies like Daum, or designers like Lalique, D’Avsen, Mueller etc.

Josef Inwald“ of Vienna. The glassworks underwent a period of unprecedented prosperity under his ownership. New premises were constructed; etching workshops and glass-cutting shops were built at the turn of the century. In 1902, Josef Inwald was given aristocratic status and the glassworks were granted special privileges including the right to use the emblem of Austrian eagle. The owner has invested in other glassworks in the Bohemian area and he transferred his firm to Prague, the capital of the young Czechoslovak republic, in 1922.

After his death in 1925, his second son, Oskar, took over the company. Under his management, probably the most important decision was made for the future of the glassworks in 1927 – the enterprise started to produce lead crystal glass. There was a significant increase in demands and that brought development and in effect, renewal of all premises. The Depression of the 1930s put an end to the Inwald’s concern. The glassworks in Poděbrady was bought by Česká eskomptní Banka from Karlovy Vary, the factory was to be leveled and plots sold off to build family houses. Luckily, this was called off due to the cost of the project. New director Leo Moser saved the factory and renewed its former fame for a short time.

The firm stopped growing when he left Czechoslovakia due to imminent occupation. The glassworks were switched to the production of war purpose articles and continued to decline. Ironically, the fire in 1941 helped the factory, due to the fact that at least part of its lead crystal production has returned back because of reconstruction of one of the two furnaces.