1930s Small Grape Harvest Vase in Uranium Glass | Bohemian Yellow Vaseline Art Deco by Pazourek for Heinrich Hoffmann | Glows Brightly Green Under UV Light

This rare and highly collectible uranium yellow glass vase, titled “Small Grape Harvest.” Designed in the 1930s by renowned Czech glass artist František Pazourek (1905–1997) for the famous Heinrich Hoffmann company, this vase is a glowing symbol of Bohemian craftsmanship and artistic innovation between the wars.

Expertly crafted from pressed, polished, frosted, and partially matte uranium glass, this piece stands at 12.5 cm tall and features an elegant relief motif of nude female figures beneath grapevines—a popular theme in Czech glass art symbolizing abundance, sensuality, and harvest.

Under ultraviolet (UV) light, the glass emits a bright, vivid green glow, a signature trait of authentic uranium glass, also known as vaseline glass. This glow effect not only enhances its visual charm but also makes it a must-have for collectors of vintage radioactive glass and rare Art Deco objects.

☢️ What Is Uranium Glass?

Uranium glass is a type of colored glass made with trace amounts of uranium oxide, which gives it a distinctive yellow, green, or milky hue. First popularized in the 19th century, particularly in Bohemia (Czech Republic), uranium glass became known for its ability to fluoresce bright green under UV light.

Despite its uranium content, it is safe for handling and display, as the radioactivity levels are extremely low. Its use declined after World War II due to the strategic classification of uranium, making pre-war uranium glass vases like this one especially rare and desirable among collectors.

🎨 About the Designer – František Pazourek

Born in Kamenický Šenov, a town at the heart of Czech glassmaking, František Pazourek studied at the prestigious Academy of Arts in Prague under Josef Drahoňovský. Between 1929 and 1931, he led the pressed glass design studio at Heinrich Hoffmann, creating both utilitarian and artistic pieces. His "Big Grape Harvest" design remains one of his best-known works, while the “Small Grape Harvest” vase—featured here—is its refined, rarer counterpart.

This vase is more than just a decorative object—it’s a historical artifact that embodies the rich tradition of Czech glassmaking, the aesthetic ideals of the Art Deco movement, and the scientific curiosity of an era fascinated by glowing materials. A perfect centerpiece for collectors of vintage uranium glass, Czech design, or 20th-century European art glass.