Inwald, Czechoslovakia
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Glassmaking has a long and proud tradition (dating back to the 13th century) in Bohemia - the former Czechoslovakia. In more recent times, as the Czech glass industry prospered, it exported vast amounts of glass.
Alongside actual production, technical and artistic training in specialist glass schools and institutes ensured high standards - by 1936 the region was producing 40% of the world’s glass. Josef Inwald’s head office was in Vienna, but they made glass at various locations with Rudolfova Hut being their main location for pressed glass and Carnival. At the height of production, over a thousand glassworkers were employed there and Inwald ranked among the leading producers of pressed glass. After 1945, the company came under state control and later, became part of Sklo Union. Today, the company is owned by Avirunion, a subsidiary of Owens Illinois, and makes container glass. Inwald’s Carnival was produced at Rudolfova Hut from (we believe) as early as 1914. Scarce Carnival examples of patterns that are only seen in Inwald’s early catalogue are known. |
Inwald's Fleur de Lys pattern, originally called Sigurd
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The Carnival made at Rudolfova Hut is of consistently excellent quality and most examples exhibit a mirror-like polish on the ground base. The “golden years” for Inwald’s Carnival are from the mid 1920s through the mid 1930s and it usually boasts superb iridescence that can be a shimmering multi-hued pastel or a rich deep pumpkin marigold.
Multi-hued iridescence, typical of Inwald, shown on this Golden Delicious bonbonniere
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Catalogue extract showing the range of Inwald's Nola pattern, which was originally called Pompei
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Read more about Inwald, and learn about their designer, Rudolf Schrötter (“The Master”) in our Schiffer book, Carnival Glass The Magic and the Mystery.
Read and See More about Inwald - click on any image.
Read and See More about Inwald - click on any image.
