Zwiesel Glassworks (Schott Zwiesel)
Zwiesel: from Annathal to table glass
Zwiesel can refer both to a German glassmaking town and to production associated with Schott Zwiesel and Zwiesel Glas. This article concerns the business lineage rooted in the Annathal glassworks, established in 1872. A place name alone does not identify a manufacturer.
Origins in Bavaria
Zwiesel’s municipal timeline dates Annathal to 1872. The manufacturer’s own history connects the beginning with Anton Müller and a small sheet-glass works. It would therefore be misleading to imply that all later wine-glass designs existed from the founding year.
Schott Zwiesel is presented as a brand in the manufacturer’s range. For an older object, record the name actually found on the glass, label or packaging before assigning it to a period. A contemporary company presentation is not, by itself, a dated reference for historical marks.
Two ranges with different manufacturing methods
In the range information checked in November 2026, Pure is described as machine-blown glass, including wine glasses and tumblers. Enoteca is described as handmade and includes different drinking and wine glasses. These examples show why manufacturing method should be established for the range rather than calling everything from one maker handmade.
This information concerns the model presentations examined. It does not date a similar-looking used glass or automatically apply to every historical range.
Identifying an inherited set
Our practical advice: compare the bowl profile, stem, foot, height and any marks with catalogue information for the proposed model. Record model names and product numbers on original packaging separately from inscriptions on the glass. Two objects both described as wine glasses may be different sizes or generations within a range.
Record quantities and differences in an object inventory. Check rim chips, stem and foot damage, scratches and cloudiness without asserting an unknown cause. Describe what has been examined in a condition report. A manufacturer’s name is not a valuation.
Next step
Browse OBA’s glass and crystal. When matching set components, accurate measurements and the correct model matter more than a general resemblance to a product photograph.
Sources
City of Zwiesel: Zeitspiegel; Zwiesel Glas on company history, Schott Zwiesel, Pure and Enoteca.
