Kralik Inkwells 1: Shape and Decoration (LOETZ AND GLASS)

Kralik Inkwells 1: Shape and Decoration

The Inkwell ID Project was created at www.loetz.com to help people identify their iridescent glass inkwells.

Most of the are not Loetz, but Kralik. However, they continue being sold as Loetz. After all, I buy WMF Myra as Steuben or Durand, Riedel as Baccarat and Loetz as Tiffany. It does say something about the nature of the antique business in general.

I have gathered pictures of inkwells for quite a while. Most are my own, but I have to thank the invaluable contribution of many collectors, most from the Society of Inkwell Collectors. I have tried to attribute pictures correctly, though sometimes I have not been careful. This is my very tentative list:

AVC: My own

BB: Barbara Bureker

MM: Mary Mcatee

JK: John Koshenburger

INT. Internet

Crislee

Whenever possible, I have tried to provide a picture of a vase which corresponds to the inkwell decor. Let us begin with a picture of Kralik inkwells in the Passau Museum collection:

1. KRALIK, PM 2000

Sorry about the size, folks! Click on it to enlarge the picture.

The first are vessels in clear glass covered with gold spots and the corresponding holder:

2. AVC

My friend Gary Gibson provided me with a picture of an inkwell from the same family, which dwarfs mine by far:

3. GG'S INKWELLS

The second decor is Kralik's version of Loetz Diaspora. So far I have found it in two colors, which are repeated throughout Kralik's inkwell production:

4. AVC

5. CRISLEE

The next decor is quite similar to Rindskopf's feathered glass. There is a barber bottle with similar decor. This is a closeup from the barber bottle, which you can see on page 2, Pic. 11.

6. BARBER BOTTLE DETAIL

And here is the inkwell, which has a chipped surface:

7. BB COLLECTION

I have found only one inkwell in Kralik overshot or frit. These are the corresponding vases:

8. AVC

10. SALMON OVERSHOT--BB

Kralik's ribbed vases are not easy to find:

11. AVC

And here is the corresponding inkwell:

11. JK

I have named the next group with the Loetz term Glatt because of its soft iridized surface:

12. GOLD GLATT AVC

13. AVC

Two inkwells comprise the next group. The inkwell was made to fit the specific top. Figural tops are amongst the most desirable. This the the lion top, in green and in purple:

14. AVC

15. AVC

Martelé glass was made by many companies, including Loetz, Rindskopf and Kralik. But only Kralik's martelé appears in inkwells:

16. INTERNET--METALIC BLUE

17. AVC-LIGHT GREEN

18. AVC-PURPLE

I have always envied Barbara Bureker, editor of the Society of Inkwell Collectors Journal, who is the fortunate owner of this stunning Kralik Nautilus inkwell: