Johann Löetz Witwe

The Löetz Glass Company was best known for art nouveau designs. The name of the company was taken from one of the early owners, Susanne, the widow (or witwe in German) of glassmaker Johann Löetz. She took over the company in 1851 and greatly expanded it over the next two decades. She eventually transferred the company to her son-in-law Maximilian von Spaun, who modernized the factory, drew inspiration from Tiffany and Company, and hired top designers, ushering in the company's most successful era as producers of art nouveau glass.