Water measure, Art Deco, glass, Poland, 1930s

A water measure from the 1930s, made by the Hortensja Glassworks in Piotrków Trybunalski, is an example of utilitarian glass from the interwar period. The vessel is formed from transparent, slightly bluish glass characteristic of Polish glassworks of that time. The smooth surface reflects light, and the minimalist form – simple, gently tapered walls and a flat, stable base – ensures practicality in everyday use. The handle, handmade and attached with visible variation, reveals the item's artisanal origin. The measure has no ornaments or colourful accents, remaining raw and utilitarian in character. The condition is 'worn', with a visible chip on the rim and age marks typical for used items of this type. This item seems to whisper the history of pre-war resorts: Krynica, Żywiec, a moment over a glass filled with mineral water, blue transparency highlighted by sunlight streaming through the window. The minimalist shape results from the then-preference for pure forms, determined by function – an echo of modernist simplicity and Art Deco, where even the simplest object had its rational charm and authenticity. Small irregularities or scratches on the glass are a map of past decades, giving the measure an individual mark. The measure will fit both in a collector's display case and on an open shelf in the living room, as a discreet accent among neutral ceramics and utilitarian glass. It can be combined with other vessels from the era, a chrome shaker or a carafe, to evoke pre-war Art Deco inspirations. It will work well in the company of wood, nickel or marble, in spaces with subdued colours and geometric lines – whether in collector's, pre-war interiors or in modern arrangements that appreciate the delicacy and light coolness of the form.