Värends Konstglas, Emil Weidlich, 1940's Swedish Crystal Vase, Copper-Wheel Engraved Semi-Nude Woman,

Swedish artist Emil Weidlich, 1895-1986, engraved this handblown crystal vase with a dramatic figure of a semi nude woman with a pairs of Birds of Paradise. The woman's sheer skirt flows in soft pleats around her, and her outstretched arms, each with a bracelet, extend toward the birds. It is a typical Weidlich motif, as he was highly influenced by the Art Deco movement, and his mentor, Simon Gate, taught him the value and the timelessness of a nude. Careful treatment of the musculature, all created by pressing the glass against spinning copper wheels, is another Weidlich hallmark.

Weidlich was educated as a glass "carver" at the Steinschönau Glass School (Kamenický Šenov), founded in the 16th century in the current Czech Republic. He was recruited by the pioneering Swedish designer, Simon Gate, in 1922, to work at the Orrefors glass mill. There he worked closely with Gate for almost a decade. In 1931 he joined Elme Glasbruk as a leader of an engraving workshop and remained there until 1942. He executed his own engravings on his own models, but also engravings of former designers, such as Edvin Ollers. In 1942, he started his own company, Värends Konstglas, at which he worked until the age of 85. The business was located in Älmhult, Sweden (home to the first IKEA store!).

The base is signed Värends Konstglas (which means "art glass"), E.W. 78, for Emil Weidlich and style number 78, so that's rather early in his production. It is a medium-sized piece, 7.5" x 3" x 5", and it weighs almost 4 pounds. It has expected wear to its base but it is in truly remarkable condition for its age.

Tack! (Thanks!)