Fiedler 257-12, Eiselt 19-17, Rath 913-20
Violet jardiniere (9393-11)
Fiedler 214-11, Fiedler 280-13,
Lenhardt 2078-15, Lenhardt 2100-15, Eiselt 5-17, Rath 914-20
ARNOLD NECHANSKY (pp. 234-238)
In the course of my examination of Lobmeyr’s order books, I came across the expres-
sion “bronzite coating” for Fiedler’s order number 261-12. Fortunately the relevant de-
signs by Arnold Nechansky still survive, so that we are able to form an impression of the
decoration, though not of the shape (jar: 361-12, lid: 500-12) of this lidded jar. The typi-
cal elongated proportions of Nechansky’s figures are also to be found here. They are al-
ready familiär to us from cut glassware (see bibliography on cat. nos. 126-129) and post-
cards of the Wiener Werkstätte. The working patterns were probably the drawings de-
signated with numbers (pp. 236, cat. nos. 126-128). It is difficult to decide whether the
original designs are still among the surviving sheets. So far it has only been possible to
date Fiedler’s work to the year 1912.
UNKNOWN DESIGNERS (pp. 230-233)
Although the documentation on bronzite decoration is very extensive, there are still
some unanswered questions, such as the designers of several decorations for vases,
goblets and other glassware.
At least there is no doubt about the shape number (2619-13) of one vase (cat. no. 122,
p. 232), as it is noted on a working drawing with the same shape, but another decoration
(in black painting). Probably a number of artists tried their hands at producing the vase:
Mühlbauer (1-13) and Thomas (1-14).
THE PAINTERS
The records show that bronzite decorations were produced from about 1911/12 tili
around 1920. There is no documentation indicating a later date, though this cannot be
precluded. However, the production period probably did not extend beyond the twen-
ties. The most important painters worked in Steinschönau. This was certainly not a
coincidence, as this was not only the location of the school of glassmaking, but also a
branch of the Lobmeyr Company. The order books mention the following artists in
Steinschönau:
Karl Fiedler (“Goldfiedler”) (Steinschönau no. 209), Josef Lenhardt, Josef Eiselt (Stein
schönau no. 472), Norbert Eisert (Steinschönau, no. 279) and Karl Thomas Jr. The pain-
ter Heinrich Bergmann also executed several bronzite decorations for Lobmeyr al
though he was resident in Winterberg (Lobmeyr was related by marriage to the Kraliks in
Winterberg). Josef Nowak in Podol is also mentioned, though he was probably responsi-
ble only for the execution of gold line decorations - and that on a very small scale.
Fiedler, Lenhardt and Eiselt were apparently the painters whom Lobmeyr most fre-
quently employed for bronzite decorations. Fiedler worked for Lobmeyr from 1911 tili
1914, Lenhardt from 1912 tili 1917 and Eiselt finally from 1917 tili 1919.
Otto Pietsch, a teacher at Steinschönau school of glassmaking, evidently played an im
portant röle in the execution of bronzite decorations from 1919 onwards, probably act-
ing as a middleman for the Lobmeyr Company. Thus the serial numbers noted in the de
signs with P (and a number) or Pietsch (and a number) do not mean the same as the
35
