Genuine Loetz Vases Turned a Bargain into a coveted Art Piece
Christine Rehm and her husband Manfred were strolling through a jumble sale near Alicante five years ago when an odd pair of glass vases caught their eye. The couple, then living abroad, paid just eight euros for the vases that the seller had priced at ten. The duo did not suspect their true potential. They admired the color and style, and that was enough to seal the deal at a modest cost.
That modest purchase, however, would later become a showcase example of how a routine find can turn into a significant auction discovery. When the same items resurfaced this Tuesday at a Burton Market Hall venue, they drew the attention of collectors and auction enthusiasts, eventually fetching a remarkable one thousand two hundred pounds. The sale price in euros reflected a similar value, signaling that rare glass pieces can appreciate dramatically over time.
At the time of the original purchase, Christine admitted that the items were bought from a market stall selling goods found in the trunks of abandoned cars. She was honest about not knowing their historical worth, explaining that the appeal lay in the visual impact rather than any preconceived market value. The Sun reported her remark, noting that she simply liked the style and especially the color of the vases. The seller’s generosity with the price—eight euros instead of ten—left a lasting impression on the couple and became a story they would tell later when the vases were valued.
After discovering an uncertainty about value, they sought an expert valuation. The couple initially brought the pieces to a local valuer at Burton Market Hall, hoping for a straightforward appraisal. The experience proved instructive, narrowing their expectations and guiding the next steps. The early valuation did not reveal the full potential of the vases, but the process planted the seeds for a future realization of value that would come to light later in a formal setting.
Genuine Loetz parts emerge in the story as the narrative unfolds. After returning to England in 2021, the woman decided to reassess the objects she had acquired years earlier, recognizing them as more than ordinary décor. An antiques expert confirmed that these pieces were authentic Loetz parts, associated with a renowned Bohemian Art Nouveau glass designer who was active during the early 20th century. This diagnosis placed the vases in a category that can command substantial sums at auction, sometimes reaching into the high hundreds or thousands of pounds depending on condition and provenance.
The vases measure about 13 centimeters in height and feature the distinctive cloverleaf shape that identifies them with the Loetz circle. They belong to the Phaenomen de Loetz line, a designation linked with the period widely regarded as Loetz’s peak for art glass. The era spans the 1900s, a time when Loetz’s creations were celebrated for their innovation and craftsmanship. When the items were put up for auction on Tuesday, May 2, the attention they attracted underscored the enduring appeal of early 20th century glassware among collectors who prize rare design and historical significance.
The Loetz pieces are often described by collectors as outstanding examples of the Art Nouveau movement because of the distinctive wavy or feathered surface designs. These effects were achieved by wrapping thin glass strips around a base of molten glass while the material was still hot, a technique that artisans patented in the late 19th century. The craftsmanship and the subtle interplay of light and color on the surface help explain why these objects continue to attract interest from museums and private collectors alike.
Delighted by the Outcome
The fascination with Loetz does not end with the design alone. The factory itself has a storied history, surviving the upheavals of the First World War, the Great Depression, and several devastating fires, before ultimately closing its doors in the mid-20th century. Despite those challenges, many pieces that emerged from the Loetz studio remain highly sought after and prized in antique circles. The narrative around these vases reflects a broader pattern in which everyday market finds transform into culturally and financially significant artifacts when properly identified and valued by experts.
The couple later returned to the United Kingdom in 2021 after a lengthy sojourn in Spain. They had lived in the area for about 15 years, building memories across both countries. Christine has stated that she is very pleased to have brought the vases back with them, a decision that would prove pivotal when the pieces later emerged in a formal auction setting. The warmth of the story lies not only in the financial return but in the sense of gratitude for a purchase that began as a simple, almost accidental discovery and evolved into a meaningful, collectible treasure.