The following treasure is from the living estate of Ailene & Buddy Ford; noted dealers and lifelong collectors of valuable antique & vintage heirlooms. xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx The AEAA is proud to feature this brilliant trio of custom 1920s Bohemian hand painted Opal cut to Cranberry glass center table set, including a fine center compote, and two matching candleholders with lead crystal prisms (great light refraction). This magnificent set is classic Bohemian, and is most likely by the renowned Alexander Pfohl, and was probably hand painted by a family member in the latter 1920s. The symmetry and depth of the oval cuttings are impeccable, and the pronounced gradual feathering of the thumbprints positively dates to the latter 1920 to early 1930s, and the hand painted floral sprays are brilliant. Our Pfohl compote stands 7.75 x 6.875 inches tall, with the trio weighing 5# 8 oz., and the candle holders are in excellent condition! The compote has one rim chip and is Good to VG. xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx. Alexander Pfohl Sr. (1866-1943) was such an unusual artistic talent, that he was employed as a child by Harrach painting old German style medallions and coats of arms until he was all of 17! Moving to Novy Bor in 1888, he married and opened his own workshop, which was highly successful especially with American firms looking for imports. Alexander Pfohl Jr. (1894 - 1953) was both the Grandson & Son of renowned master engravers & cutters, Josef, and Josef Jr. in the Krkonose Mountain region of Northwest Bohemia. Young Alexander had unusual aptitude as a painter, so at a young age was apprenticed to the fabled Harrach factory at Novy Svet, until he was 17. He specialized in Germanic Heraldry, and historic medallions. In 1883, Alexander moved to Novy Bor, married, and worked as a designer until opening his own studio in 1888. His brilliant birds & florals became an overnight success in major part due to the local tourist trade from England & America. In March of 1894, Alexander Jr. was born into the family, followed by Erwin in 1906. Erwin was very skilled, and after graduating from the Glass school in Novy Bor in 1924, worked as a designer & painter for both Josephinenhutte and Rachman (Novy Bor) before rejoining his father in 1929, taking over the management of the family studio in 1939. Alexander Pfohl Jr. studied at the Novy Bor Glassmaking College (1908 - 1911), and then at the College of Applied Arts in Vienna. His professors included the famed Kolo Moser and Michael Powolny. During the years 1919 to 1928, he was the head of design at the Josephinenhutte Glass Works studio in the Silesian town of Sklarzska Poreba. During his tenure, Josephinenhutte became one of the most successful & largest Glass houses in Europe! In 1928, Alexander Jr. took a Professorship at the Novy Bor Glass School, and elevated it to world class status, by demanding perfection from his students. The Novy Bor designs & workmanship became so renowned, that their patterns were purchased and executed by famous companies such as Goldberg, Harrach, Hosch, Kulka, Karel Palda, Adlof Rasche, Ludwig Moser & Sons, Curt Schlegvogt, plus many others. The Novy Bor School was closed in 1939, at the outset of WW II, and Alexander Jr. joined the family business with brother Erwin, and daughter Brigitte who had become an accomplished finishing artist during the 1930s. At that juncture, Erwin assumed the reigns of the family business and managed it into the latter 1960s. Today, Pfohl is still a family business, with Brigitte, 3rd generation, and daughter of Alexander Jr. still providing her skill to this beautiful art form.

XA - CG3 - Candlesticks Excellent. Compote - Good to Very Good - 1 rim chip