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Austro-Bohemian Jugendstil Iridescent Art Glass Vase, c. 1900–1910
€999Bid from €500
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Private sellerBerlin, GermanyOn Whoppah since August 2023 • 28 sales
Product description
Austro-Bohemian Jugendstil Iridescent Art Glass Vase, c. 1900–1910
An exceptional hand-blown art glass vase from the golden age of Austro-Bohemian Jugendstil, produced around 1900–1910. Distinguished by its broad rolled collar, luminous feathered decoration, and delicate satin iridescence, the vase exemplifies the remarkable technical innovation and artistic refinement that made Central European glass among the most admired decorative arts of the Art Nouveau period.
Country of Manufacture: Austria or Bohemia
Period: c. 1900–1910
Material: Hand-blown art glass
Technique: Pulled, feathered, and combed decoration
Colours: Opaline pink, pale lavender, turquoise, olive green, amber
Finish: Satin iridescence
Dimensions
Height: 20 cm
Rim diameter: Approximately 19 cm
Condition
Very good antique condition. No cracks or restorations observed. Light wear consistent with age and careful handling, including expected shelf wear to the polished base. The original ground pontil remains visible, confirming traditional hand production.
Historical Context
At the turn of the twentieth century, the great glasshouses of Austria and Bohemia transformed decorative glass into one of Europe's most innovative artistic media. Through increasingly sophisticated techniques of colour layering, combing, iridescence, and freehand manipulation, workshops created objects that dissolved the boundary between craftsmanship and art. Today these works remain among the defining achievements of the Jugendstil movement.
Although unsigned, this vase displays many of the characteristics associated with fine Austro-Bohemian production of the period. Its refined execution, feathered decoration, satin iridescence, and harmonious colour palette place it firmly within the tradition established by leading workshops such as Johann Loetz Witwe, Kralik, Pallme-König, and Rindskopf, without permitting a definitive workshop attribution.
Design
The vase is defined by an elegant trumpet-shaped silhouette that gently widens toward a broad, generously rolled collar. This restrained form allows the extraordinary decoration to take centre stage while preserving the balanced proportions characteristic of Jugendstil design.
Its surface is built from multiple layers of coloured glass that have been stretched and combed into flowing feather-like patterns. Rather than appearing applied, the decoration seems to grow organically around the vessel, creating a remarkable sense of movement that follows the contours of the form.
The broad collar forms the visual focal point of the composition. Here the feathered decoration radiates concentrically around the opening, producing an almost floral or iris-like pattern that reveals the exceptional control achieved during the hot-working process. The body continues the same rhythm in gently flowing vertical currents that wrap seamlessly around the vase.
The colour palette is unusually subtle and sophisticated. Soft opaline pinks merge with pale lavender, turquoise, olive green, and warm amber, creating delicate transitions that appear almost painterly. A restrained satin iridescence enriches the surface with gentle flashes of pearl, violet, green, and gold that shift continuously as the light changes, giving the vase a quiet luminosity rather than an overt metallic sheen.
Style: Jugendstil; Art Nouveau
Materials: Hand-blown art glass
Place of Origin: Austria or Bohemia
Condition: Very good
Whether displayed as a standalone object or as part of a collection of early twentieth-century art glass, the vase possesses a remarkable sculptural presence. Its broad collar, luminous decoration, and softly shifting colours make it equally compelling from above and in profile, rewarding close inspection from every angle. It pairs beautifully with natural wood, marble, bronze, and contemporary minimalist interiors, where its delicate iridescence and organic decoration provide a striking contrast to clean architectural lines.
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General Information:
International inquiries welcome. Shipping handled with care and full transparency. Minor vintage wear may be present. Private sale; no returns or guarantees according to German law.
Specifications
ConditionVery goodColorsMulti ColorMaterialGlassNumber of items1Height20 cmWidth19 cmDepth19 cm
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Seller information
About this seller
Private sellerBerlin, GermanyOn Whoppah since August 2023 • 28 sales