Quezal: American Iridescent Art Glass from Brooklyn
Quezal Art Glass & Decorating Company operated in Brooklyn, New York, from 1901 to 1924, producing iridescent art glass that directly rivaled the work of Louis Comfort Tiffany. Founded by Martin Bach Sr. and Thomas Johnson -- both former Tiffany glass workers -- Quezal produced lamp shades, vases, and decorative pieces featuring the same iridescent surface treatments and pulled-feather decoration pioneered at Tiffany Studios. While smaller in scale and shorter-lived than Tiffany, Quezal produced glass of exceptional quality that commands strong prices from serious art glass collectors.
Identification & Marks
- Engraved signature: Most pieces carry "Quezal" engraved on the base in flowing script, sometimes with a model number
- Paper labels: Some pieces retain original gold paper labels reading "Quezal Art Glass"
- Pontil marks: Hand-blown pieces show polished pontil marks on the base
- Iridescent quality: Quezal iridescence tends to have a warmer, more golden tone compared to Tiffany's cooler blue-green palette
- Distinction from Tiffany: Quezal pieces are generally smaller and lighter than comparable Tiffany pieces; the engraved signature is the definitive identifier
Types & Decorative Techniques
- Pulled-feather decoration: The signature Quezal technique; green and gold iridescent feathers pulled through the glass body
- King Tut pattern: Coiled, serpentine glass threads creating an Egyptian-inspired surface pattern
- Jack-in-the-pulpit vases: Flared, trumpet-form vases with ruffled rims; among the most popular forms
- Lamp shades: Bell-shaped, tulip, and lily shades for electric fixtures; produced in large quantities
- Gold iridescent: Rich, overall gold lustre surface on vases, bowls, and shades
- Floriform vases: Organic, flower-shaped vessels on slender stems
Auction Price Ranges
| Item | Low | Mid | High |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lamp shade (simple gold) | $100 | $300 | $800 |
| Lamp shade (pulled feather) | $200 | $600 | $1,500 |
| Small vase (gold iridescent) | $200 | $500 | $1,200 |
| Jack-in-the-pulpit vase | $500 | $1,500 | $5,000 |
| Pulled-feather vase (medium) | $400 | $1,200 | $4,000 |
| King Tut pattern vase | $800 | $2,500 | $8,000 |
| Large exceptional vase | $2,000 | $6,000 | $15,000+ |
Condition Factors
- Iridescent surfaces must be bright and undamaged; scratches or wear on the iridescence significantly reduce value
- Chips on rims, especially on delicate floriform and jack-in-the-pulpit vases, reduce value by 30-50%
- Lamp shades must have intact fitter rims (the part that sits in the fixture); chipped fitters reduce both value and usability
- Internal staining from use as flower vases does not significantly affect value if the exterior is clean
- Pulled-feather decoration should be well-defined with clean, sharp lines
Collecting Tips
- Quezal is a legitimate alternative to Tiffany art glass at generally lower price points
- The King Tut pattern is the most distinctive and sought-after Quezal decoration
- Lamp shades are the most available form and offer an accessible entry point; sets of matching shades for chandeliers bring strong premiums
- Jack-in-the-pulpit vases combine dramatic form with iridescent decoration and are consistently strong performers at auction
- Unsigned pieces attributed to Quezal by style must be carefully evaluated; similar glass was made by Durand, Steuben, and other contemporaries
- Martin Bach Sr. left Quezal in 1920 to form the Lustre Art Glass Company; his later work is related but distinct