Bowl (4) - Manganese - Art Deco

A charming pair of pressed glass boxes with lids, crafted in transparent glass with a slight bluish tint enhanced by deep blue tones. Through their geometric shapes, beveled sides, and the sobriety of their decoration, these two pieces are fully in line with Central European Art Deco aesthetics. Their Czechoslovak origin is plausible, though, in the absence of marks or a maker’s reference, it is not possible to attribute this set to a particular factory with certainty. Interwar Czechoslovak production includes numerous examples of pressed glass with geometric forms and strong colorations, notably from Josef Inwald and other Bohemian glassworks.

The first box, slightly larger, features a low octagonal body with thick walls structured by broad geometric panels. The blue-tinted transparent glass is accentuated by substantial areas of cobalt blue glass, particularly around the rim, base, and lid. The lid mirrors the geometry of the container and is topped by an oval, fully faceted fretel, whose numerous cut surfaces catch and fragment the light. The second box follows a comparable construction, with a compact, beveled body, very light blue glass, and a prominent cobalt blue edge. Its lid, lacking a fretel, consists of a thick circular element that is gently domed and fits perfectly over the vessel. The overall effect is an interesting play of proportions between the two boxes, the first characterized by its spectacular faceted fretel, while the second favors a lower, more understated silhouette.

Both pieces are in excellent overall condition. They show only a few discreet traces of prior use, mainly light handling marks and minor superficial wear. The glass remains brilliantly luminous, and the contrasts between the pale blue glass and the cobalt blue areas are particularly well preserved. No major structural defects, chips, or cracks are visible in the photographs. These light signs of wear are consistent with the objects’ age and are only very lightly visible in display.

The aesthetic of this set allows for cautious dating to the Czechoslovak pressed-glass production of the interwar period, probably around the 1930s, with a margin that could extend to the early 1940s. However, one should distinguish stylistic identification from manufacturing attribution: no sources sufficiently concordant currently link these two boxes to a specific glassworks. They nonetheless vividly reflect the Czech and Slovak glass industry of this era, which holds an important place in the history of European Art Deco glass, notably thanks to the development of pressing techniques that enable complex geometric volumes while preserving a strong decorative presence. Specialized sources and reference collections document the importance of glassworks such as Josef Inwald in this interwar Czechoslovak production of the 1920s–1930s.

Dimensions (large > small box):
- Height: 10.6 > 5 centimeters,
- Width: 9 > 7.5 centimeters,
- Total weight of the set: 400 grams.

The two boxes with their lids will be carefully packaged and shipped promptly in secure packaging. In-person viewing and combined delivery are available. The photos are part of the description.