Stellmacher Bohemian Art Nouveau Amphora Vase Circa Late 1800s

Item Details

A beautiful example of Alfred Stellmacher’s Art Nouveau Amphora vase forms, circa 1850s – 1890s. The vase has an overall ivory coloration with a flared rim, edged in hand applied gold enamel, above a floral pierced neck with gold enamel band below. The vase form expands to a wider basin, hand painted in pale tones of red, pink and green, depicting a blooming poppy to the front, and a smaller blossom to the reverse, and a large dragonfly to one side. The handles of the form are created with figural dolphin or sea monster forms applied in deep, dimensional relief, and colored with olive greens, pale red and tawny gold and yellow highlights. Each bearded creature has its mouth open, appearing to have a piece of its tail in the mouth, with the tail section sweeping up and out, splitting at the neck of the form to create two handles on either side. At the apex of the tail curve are fins jutting outward for a dramatic profile. The foot has been banded in gold enamel. The vase is stamped to the underside with the Stellmacher Tepliz mark, and the incised pattern number ‘291 13.’ The stamp is quite faint. Vessels such as this were painstakingly molded by hand, glazed as many as ten times to achieve the matte and gloss glaze finishes, and hand carved to achieve the evocative sense of movement and action.

Condition

- the vase is in remarkable condition for age. The finishes and enamel banding are preserved. There is a small chip on the base and one the beard of one creature. There is light finish loss to be expected with age. Please preview for personal assessment of condition.

Dimensions

Item #

16CIN502-121