A captivating Art Nouveau glass vase from late 19th Century Bohemia, superbly painted in enamels with sweet pea climbing vine and flowers. The glass is spirally fluted and optic moulded, with tantalising visual effects. Viewed through different facets of the vase, sweet peas on the opposite side appear like shifting holograms. The topaz-tinted glass and the enamelling vary in tone with changing light. Both top and bottom rims are gilded, and there are chains of small, white-enamelled moulded beads.
The vase is unmarked, itself not unusual for Bohemian glass from this era, and so far, we have been unable to establish the manufacturer. The brushstrokes on the flowers and leaves show considerable skill and artistry. We would expect the vase to be the work of a major Bohemian glass factory, possibly with outside decoration.
Condition The vase is in excellent antique condition, with no damage or repairs. There is some very minor scuffing to the gilding around the curved foot rim, as one would expect from handling. Odd tiny spots of stray enamel date from when it was painted.
Height: 31.7 cm; top rim diameter: 10.6 cm; base diameter: 12.7 cm
Weight: 1,224 g
Origin: Former Bohemia, Austrian Empire (present day Czech Republic)
