Antique 1900s Kralik, Art Nouveau - Art Deco Iridescent Mother of Pearl Quilted Art Glass Vase

THE ITEM

This chic work of 60s - 70s space age design brings with it quiet glamour and classic retro vibes. 

The circular form is simple and an excellent canvas for the shimmering glaze decor. The base glaze of the vase is a deep black, which is displayed on the interior of the vase. The base glaze is overlaid with an iridescent lustre glaze that has been applied all over the exterior and which gives glimmers of grape purple, blues, peacock green and gold. The piece is finished with an accent of more obvious glamour with a gold gilding glaze to the foot. 

CONDITION

Superb. There are no chips or cracks. There is mild use wear that is most evident on the gold glaze at the foot of the vase and minor spots where the glaze has not completely covered the body during production - please refer to photos as part of condition report. 

MEASUREMENTS

c. 10.8" /  27 cm tall (from base to tallest point ) x 9" / 23 cm in width (across widest points).

Unpackaged weight: c.  0.8 kg / 800 g

NOTES

Vase will be securely packaged and shipping will be insured. Shipping will be combined for multiple items.

THE ITEM
Although it is not uncommon to come across Beswick Ruskin style dimple vases, however an iridescent palette in dripware form is. With varying shades of deep green, petrol teal, maroon and off-white, offset by the iridescence in the glaze, this pair of vases make for magnificent pride of place display pieces or for their intended use as vases.

A BIT OF HISTORY
The Beswick firm was founded around the 1890's by John Beswick in Staffordshire, UK. His son James would take over upon his death, introducing a new range of jugs, bowls and vases decorated with new matt glazes. Responding to the modernist influence in design, many of these highly distinctive shapes were designed by Mr Symcox and decorated in 'satin matt' glazes using soft pastel colours running into each other or arranged in striking modern geometric blocks and lines. Beswick would go on to become known for their ceramic animal figures before being taken over by Royal Doulton in 1969 and finally closing in the early 2000's.

Though it is said these pieces will never be worth thousands, still, there is revived and growing interest in these Art Deco pieces as they survive in very good condition. They also justify Beswicks' boast in a 1930's advertisement of "a sound body, with a brilliant, non-crazing glaze fashioned in hundreds of shapes".

CONDITION

Excellent condition. Apart from the natural crazing that comes with the age of these pieces, there are no chips, scratches or cracks.

MEASUREMENTS
c. 7" / 18 cm tall (from centre of rim to base) x c 3.5" / 9 cm wide (across its widest points)

Unpackaged weight: c. 1.4 kg / 1,392 g

NOTES
Vases will be securely packaged and shipping will be insured.
Shipping will be combined for multiple items.

THE ITEM
This tall and graceful work of handblown art glass is by Erwin Eisch, German glass artist and painter.

The form of this piece is beautifully balanced with Art Nouveau and Loetz, Kralik influences yet still retaining the artistic creativity of Eisch. Lightly organic, this piece is finished with an undulating rim. The purple glass has finely 'pulled feather' detail within it that shows off fine bands of turquoise and apricot. The crackled gold iridescence begins at the rim, moves down from the neck and fans out around the body of the vase.

CONDITION
Excellent. No chips, cracks or repairs. There is negligible surface wear that is commensurate with the age of the piece - please refer to photos as part of the condition report. The underside of the base is inscribed with Eisch's signature of 'Eisch' and dated with '1983'.

MEASUREMENTS
Height: c. 18" / 46 cm x c. 5.6" / 15 cm diameter (across widest point). Unpackaged weight: c. 1.6 kg / 1,560 g

NOTES
Vase will be securely packaged and shipping will be insured.
Shipping will be combined for multiple items.

A BIT OF HISTORY
The glass-making tradition of the Eisch family has been traced back to Mathias Alesch, born in the Bohemian Forest in 1689 and listed among the employees of a small glassworks there. In December 1952 the first glass was smelted in what was at the time the latest and smallest glassworks in Bavaria. In spite of initial difficulties, by 1956 Eisch glassworks had expanded to a 12-pot furnace.

The full name - Glashütte Eisch, lies at the heart of the Bavarian Forest, it is here that the Eisch family has been producing hand-made glass for over 60 years. Erwin Eisch has been regarded as the founder of the international studio glass movement since the 1960s, with Harvey Littleton as one of the first artists to use glass as a medium of artistic expression.

This striking handblown work of Swedish art glass design is by Bertil Vallien (b. 1938 - ), celebrated glass artist, sculptor, ceramist, and designer. Vallien's career in glass began at Boda Glassworks in 1963, upon his return to Sweden from his studies in art and ceramics, both in Sweden and the US. Vallien's experimentation with sand-casting glass techniques would eventually bring him fame and this fascination is evident even in this exploratory piece.

The exterior surface of this piece is undulating, uneven, and with a base colour of pearlescent green. The next layer is a dappling in rich Inky Indigo which encircles the bowl interspersed with what appears to be a Powdered Peach tone. The iridescence is underpinned with lava-rock-like texture and the whole piece is finished with a dusted Peridot-toned 'pebble'. The interior of the bowl is a smooth, semi-matte and frosted layer of glass overlaid in iridescence.

The overall effect is quite spectacular, giving the air of a delicate bowl carved from an extraterrestrial iridescent geode of quartz crystal and lava. 

This particular piece is numbered and marked as 'Unik', indicating that it is a unique piece and when combined with the design, craftsmanship and condition, makes this piece a rare find. 

CONDITION
Excellent, no chips, cracks or repairs. Age-commensurate wear, most prominently on the underside of the bowl, please refer to photos as they form part of the condition report. The bowl is inscribed with 'BODA UNIK 3645 B.VALLIEN. The exterior also bears the silver label 'Handmade Boda Sweden'.

MEASUREMENTS
Height: c. 3.2" /  8.2 cm x c. 4.1" / 10.4 cm diameter (across widest point). Base diameter: c. 2" / 5cm. Unpackaged weight: c. 0.3 kg / 275 g.

NOTES
Bowl will be securely packaged and shipping will be insured. Shipping will be combined for multiple items.

A BIT OF HISTORY
Born in 1938, Bertil Vallien was only 15 when he left home, drawn by the allure of the big city. After a series of occasional jobs, as a window-dresser at one of the main department stores in Stockholm, and as an apprentice in his father's decorating firm, Vallien would eventually decide to become an artist which would lead him into the world of ceramics. The guidance he received in his early career included that of Stig Lindberg - one of Sweden's foremost designers of ceramic art and one of the leading designers for Rörstrand in the 1970s.

Today, Vallien is one of the most well-known representatives of 20th-century Swedish ceramic and art glass design and is represented at the Swedish National Museum of Art and Design as well as abroad at the Everson Museum of Art of New York.

Vallien's works have only become more collectable over the years with sculptures from his Head and Journey (Boat) series fetching up to $20,000 USD.

Currently held on consignment at Andrews Oakville

This sleek and Modern work of French mid-century 1960s design is by Verceram Céramique. (c. 1940s - 1971) The form of this piece is that of an oval accentuated at each end to create fold-down collars, with brass-sphere buttons to match the graceful handle accent. The form is an excellent canvas for Verceram's iconic palette of iridised pearl and blue-black glaze that forms the rim and body of the dish.

Edgy and avant-garde for its time, the uncommon design makes it boldly timeless and suitable for display as a standalone piece or for functional use. The combination of the design, size, and condition makes it a particularly rare find. 

CONDITION
Excellent. No chips, cracks, or repairs. The most notable wear are the surface marks to the iridised glaze that is present all over and is commensurable with the age of the piece. Please refer to photographs as they form part of the condition report. The underside of the base bears Verceram's V-in-a-circle stamp and the original Verceram label is present on the interior of the dish. 

MEASUREMENTS
Height: c. 8.5" / 21.5 cm (from base to handle) x c. 6.4" / 16.3 cm in width (across widest point). Length: c. 12.2" / 31 cm. Base: c. 3.7" / 9.5 cm. Unpackaged weight: 0.7 kg / 685 g

A LITTLE BIT OF HISTORY
Verceram Céramique. (c. 1940s - 1971)
Precious little is known about Verceram Céramique. Verceram collectors and enthusiasts have determined that the art pottery was probably based in Montreuil, an Eastern suburb of Paris and owned by a Monsieur Caux. The workshop and factory were active from around the 1940s until 1971 during the decades of 'Les Trente Glorieuses' (the thirty glorious'). 

What is very well known are the other-worldly and style-defining art pottery pieces by Verceram during the 1960s. With striking contrast and avant-garde abstract shapes in iridescent metallic glazes of pearlised white and an iridescent blue-black, these glazes were notoriously difficult to master. The glazes scratch easily which makes it a challenge to find mint-condition glazed pieces today. 

At its start, Verceram produced late Art Deco-inspired works in green and red enameling before moving to bolder colours and textured finishes drawing inspiration from patterns found in nature. These earlier experimental styles would be the precursor to Verceram's iconic iridescent and sleek form designs.   

Currently held on consignment at Andrews Oakville

This striking and majestic work of French mid-century Modernist design is by Verceram Céramique. (c. 1940s - 1971) The base form of this piece is that of an oval that has been accentuated at each end culminating in a pleat with 'fins' either side. The overall piece is similar to that of an geometric yet gently curved paper model shaped from ceramic. The shape is an excellent canvas for Verceram's iconic palette of iridised pearl and blue-black glaze that is showcased beautifully against the curves and arches. 

Edgy and avant-garde for its time, the uncommon design makes it boldly timeless and suitable for display as a standalone piece or for functional use. 

CONDITION
Excellent. No chips, cracks, or repairs. The most notable wear are the surface marks to the iridised glaze that is present all over and is commensurable with the age of the piece. Please refer to photographs as they form part of the condition report. The underside of the base bears Verceram's V-in-a-circle stamp and the original Verceram label is present on the interior of the dish. 

MEASUREMENTS
Height: c. 5.9" / 15 cm (from base to rim) x c. 11.4" / 29 cm in width (across widest point). Length: c. 23.3" / 59 cm. Base: c. 6.7" / 17 cm x c. 4.3" / 11 cm. Unpackaged weight: 2.5 kg / 2,525 g

A LITTLE BIT OF HISTORY
Verceram Céramique. (c. 1940s - 1971)
Precious little is known about Verceram Céramique. Verceram collectors and enthusiasts have determined that the art pottery was probably based in Montreuil, an Eastern suburb of Paris and owned by a Monsieur Caux. The workshop and factory were active from around the 1940s until 1971 during the decades of 'Les Trente Glorieuses' (the thirty glorious'). 

What is very well known are the other-worldly and style-defining art pottery pieces by Verceram during the 1960s. With striking contrast and avant-garde abstract shapes in iridescent metallic glazes of pearlised white and an iridescent blue-black, these glazes were notoriously difficult to master. The glazes scratch easily which makes it a challenge to find mint-condition glazed pieces today. 

At its start, Verceram produced late Art Deco-inspired works in green and red enameling before moving to bolder colours and textured finishes drawing inspiration from patterns found in nature. These earlier experimental styles would be the precursor to Verceram's iconic iridescent and sleek form designs.