Antique early 20th century art deco Rudolfova Huť (Heřmanova Huť, Czechoslovakia

Antique early 20th century art deco Rudolfova Huť (Heřmanova Huť, Czechoslovakia). Very rare pair of amber with enamel writing and original stoppers, eye lotion and toilet water bottles. Absolutely beautiful - the colour is amazing.

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( Please note the eye lotion bottle has a very small, hardly noticeable, chip to rim. A small mark to edge, does not detract from the beauty of the item ) I believe I have priced accordingly.

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15 cm tall

7 cm square

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Displayed with other items illustration only

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What the mark is telling us

What we’re looking at here is not a hand-engraved signature, but an acid-etched / moulded factory mark, now partially worn by age, polishing and use.

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Key clues:

Square, slightly concave base – classic for quality early–mid 20th-century decorative glass

Amber / honey glass tone – very fashionable in the inter-war years

Oval acid-etched cartouche – strongly associated with continental glass houses

Faint raised dots / lettering within the oval – typical of factory acid stamps rather than studio marks

Most likely maker: Rudolfova Huť (Heřmanova Huť, Czechoslovakia)

This mark aligns very closely with glass produced by Rudolfova Huť:

Founded 1902, operating through the Art Deco period

Known for amber, smoke, and honey-coloured pressed and mould-blown glass

Frequently used oval acid-etched marks, many of which are now only partially legible

Produced decorative vases, scent bottles, decanters and table glass with thick bases and sculptural profiles

Their marks are notorious for:

Wearing away unevenly

Becoming “ghost marks” like this one

Leaving only an oval outline and dot pattern behind

Other (less likely but possible) contenders

Libochovice Glassworks – also used oval acid marks, but their bases are usually flatter

Sklo Union – later period, marks tend to be clearer and more uniform

> Likely by Rudolfova Huť, Czechoslovakia, early–mid 20th century. The base bears a partially worn oval acid-etched factory mark, consistent with known examples from this renowned Bohemian glassworks.

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Rudolfova Huť (Heřmanova Huť, Czechoslovakia) – Maker History

Rudolfova Huť, also known as Heřmanova Huť, was founded in 1902 in northern Bohemia, a region internationally revered for its glassmaking tradition stretching back centuries. The glassworks was named in honour of Crown Prince Rudolf of Austria, a common practice among prestigious industrial enterprises of the Austro-Hungarian Empire.

Early years & reputation

From the outset, Rudolfova Huť focused on high-quality decorative glass, blending traditional Bohemian craftsmanship with emerging industrial techniques. The factory specialised in:

Mould-blown and pressed decorative glass

Tableware, vases, scent bottles and ornamental pieces

Richly coloured glass, particularly amber, honey, smoke, and green tones

Their work quickly gained recognition across Central Europe, with exports reaching Germany, France and Britain.

Art Nouveau to Art Deco transition

During the 1910s–1920s, Rudolfova Huť successfully navigated the stylistic shift from Art Nouveau to Art Deco:

Earlier pieces favoured soft curves and organic forms

By the 1920s–30s, designs became bolder, more geometric and architectural

Thick bases, sculptural silhouettes and strong colour saturation became hallmarks

This adaptability is a key reason their glass remains so collectible today.

Inter-war Czechoslovakia

After the formation of Czechoslovakia in 1918, Rudolfova Huť continued to thrive as part of the country’s booming glass industry. Bohemian glass was promoted internationally as a symbol of modern European design, and factories like Rudolfova Huť played a central role in that reputation.

During this period, many pieces were marked with acid-etched oval factory stamps, often including the factory name or emblem. These marks were lightly applied and are frequently partially worn or ghosted, exactly as seen on many surviving examples.

Later years & legacy

Following World War II, the Czechoslovak glass industry was nationalised, and Rudolfova Huť was eventually absorbed into larger state-run glass collectives. Production under the original name ceased, but the designs, moulds and techniques influenced later Bohemian glass output.

Why collectors value Rudolfova Huť today

Authentic Bohemian origin

Strong Art Deco aesthetic

Excellent glass quality with satisfying weight and colour

Increasing scarcity of clearly marked examples

Even unmarked or partially marked pieces are now confidently attributed based on form, colour, base finish and manufacturing techniques.

> Produced by Rudolfova Huť (Heřmanova Huť), Bohemia, founded 1902 – a respected Czechoslovak glassworks renowned for richly coloured Art Deco decorative glass.