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Ilm-Kristall Block Vase Duo, East Germany, c. 1970s GDR DDR Art Deco Style
€540Bid from €299
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Private sellerBerlin, GermanyOn Whoppah since August 2023 • 28 sales
Product description
Ilm-Kristall Block Vase Duo, East Germany, c. 1970s
A sculptural pair of heavy crystal block vases produced by VEB Ilm-Kristall in Ilmenau, East Germany, during the 1970s. Executed in contrasting emerald green and soft lilac overlay crystal, the two vases reinterpret a geometric design language that can be traced back to early twentieth-century Central European modernism. Their stacked modular forms and precisely cut facets transform coloured crystal into architectural objects defined by rhythm, symmetry, and light.
Manufacturer: VEB Ilm-Kristall
Country of Manufacture: East Germany (GDR)
Period: c. 1970s
Material: Overlay lead crystal
Colours: Emerald green, lilac, clear
Finish: Hand-cut and polished
Dimensions
Green Vase
Height: 22.5 cm
Diameter: 11 cm
Weight: Approximately 1.1 kg
Lilac Vase
Height: 23.5 cm
Top diameter: 5.3 cm
Base diameter: 9 cm
Condition
Excellent vintage condition. Both vases are free from chips, cracks, and restorations, showing only light surface wear consistent with age and careful display.
About the Manufacturer
VEB Ilm-Kristall of Ilmenau was among the most respected artistic glass manufacturers in the German Democratic Republic. The factory specialised in richly coloured overlay crystal, precision cutting, and sculptural decorative glass, continuing the long tradition of Central European crystal production while developing a distinctly East German design identity. Today its larger coloured crystal pieces are increasingly appreciated by collectors of post-war European glass.
Design
Both vases are built from stacked geometric sections that create a strong architectural rhythm. Deep vertical and angular cuts animate the coloured overlay, producing constantly changing reflections and remarkable optical depth. The emerald example presents a broad, octagonal profile with bold proportions, while the lilac vase develops into a more slender, tapering silhouette. Together they form a balanced composition in which contrasting colours and subtly different geometries complement one another.
The design belongs to a family of Central European block vases inspired by the geometric vocabulary introduced by Josef Hoffmann in the early twentieth century. Similar interpretations were later produced by Carl Melzer & Co. and subsequently explored by Czech manufacturers, including Exbor. Comparable forms also appeared in the production of VEB Ilm-Kristall, demonstrating how these influential modernist ideas continued to evolve across Central European glassmaking during the post-war decades. While these vases are frequently associated with this design tradition, no documented attribution to Oldřich Lipský or Exbor exists for the Ilm-Kristall production, and they are therefore best described as being inspired by that lineage rather than directly designed by those makers.
Style: Mid-Century Modern
Materials: Overlay lead crystal
Place of Origin: East Germany (GDR)
Condition: Excellent
Displayed together, the pair creates a compelling architectural composition, with the vivid emerald green and delicate lilac tones enhancing one another through contrast. They work beautifully in interiors featuring walnut, rosewood, travertine, smoked glass, chrome, or polished stone, while their sculptural forms allow them to function equally well as decorative objects without flowers.
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Questions are welcome and will be answered promptly.
Naturally occurring manufacturer’s defects, slight surface scratching, or wear consistent with normal use may be present.
Any condition beyond typical vintage wear, such as chips, cracks, or other significant defects, will be clearly noted in the description and visible in the photos.
Specifications
ConditionVery goodColorsTransparent, Green, Purple, Multi ColorMaterialGlassNumber of items2Height23 cmWidth9 cmDepth10 cm
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Seller information
About this seller
Private sellerBerlin, GermanyOn Whoppah since August 2023 • 28 sales