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Block Vase Duo Ilm-Kristall GDR Attributed Josef Hoffmann Oldřich Lipský Exbor
€390Bid from €299
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Berlin, GermanyOn Whoppah since August 2023 • 20 sales
Product description
Duo of Ruby Red Block Vases by VEB Ilm-Kristall – 1960s–70s East German Design Echoing Josef Hoffmann
A Sculptural Dialogue in Deep Red Crystal
This visually stunning pair of block vases was produced by VEB Ilm-Kristall, the East German glassworks in Ilmenau, between the 1960s and 1980s. With their modular, stacked ring silhouette and deep ruby red overlay glass, they are modern reinterpretations of a design first developed by Carl Melzer & Co. and inspired by Josef Hoffmann’s early 20th-century geometric experiments.
Each vase embodies the fusion of Bauhaus-influenced structure and Cold War-era optical glass brilliance, casting dramatic shadows and refracting light across their precision-cut facets. Their architectural rhythm and saturated color make them striking display pieces — both functional and sculptural.
Design & Provenance
Designer: Attributed to the Josef Hoffmann school / Carl Melzer & Co. legacy
Manufacturer: VEB Ilm-Kristall, Ilmenau (GDR)
Estimated Date: ca. 1960–1980
Material: Hand-cut lead crystal with ruby red overlay
Finish: Glossy clear & colored faceted glass
Country of Origin: East Germany (DDR)
The larger of the two vases has a slightly taller silhouette and more pronounced faceting, while the smaller echoes the form with tighter modulation. Together, they create a powerful vertical composition — a chromatic crescendo in deep garnet red.
Measurements
Vase A (Taller): Height approx. 24.5 cm | Weight approx. 1136 g
Vase B (Slightly Smaller): Height approx. 23 cm | Diameter approx. 8.3 cm
(Note: Small chip, "mosquito bite" at bottom edge; barely visible, does not compromise structure.)
Stylistic Context
The stepped ring motif recalls Hoffmann’s 1920s modular designs — later revived in the Exbor glassworks of Czechoslovakia and adapted by GDR producers like Ilm-Kristall. This duo represents a cross-cultural dialogue between Austrian Secessionism, Bohemian glass artistry, and mid-century socialist industrial design.
The ruby red tone — intense yet elegant — accentuates the vases’ stacked geometry, catching and diffusing light with dramatic clarity. These are not just vases; they are optical sculptures rooted in the aesthetics of modernism and the material culture of the Cold War.
Why Collect This Pair
Rare matched duo in bold ruby red crystal — harder to find than green or lilac variants
References to Josef Hoffmann, Oldřich Lipský, and Bohemian design traditions
Excellent representatives of East German craftsmanship during its artistic peak
Highly displayable in mid-century, brutalist, or Art Deco–inspired interiors
Functional as bud vases, but equally effective as stand-alone sculptural objects
Shipping & General Info
Professionally packed and shipped with tracking & insurance
International shipping available — please inquire for rates outside the EU
Import duties and taxes (where applicable) are the buyer’s responsibility
All pieces are described and photographed with care. Minor signs of age may be present; any significant flaws (e.g., chip to smaller vase) are clearly mentioned.
Combined shipping available upon request.
Private Sale Terms (German Law)
This is a private sale between individuals. Therefore:
No returns
No refunds
No warranties
Your personal data will only be used for the purpose of completing this transaction and arranging shipment.
A bold statement in color, geometry, and history — these ruby red block vases from Ilmenau are modern relics of an era when even glass carried the weight of ideology and the poetry of form.
Specifications
ConditionVery goodColorsPurple, Red, TransparentMaterialCrystal, GlassNumber of items2Height24 cmWidth9 cmDepth9 cm
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Seller information
About this seller
Berlin, GermanyOn Whoppah since August 2023 • 20 sales