AMPHORA Art Nouveau Vase. Bohemia, Austro-Hungarian Empire, ca. 1900.

AMPHORA Art Nouveau Vase (Riessner, Stellmacher & Kessel). Bohemia, Austro-Hungarian Empire, ca. 1900.
Molded and glazed ceramic, with gilded details and colored glass cabochons.
Secessionist-inspired decoration, reminiscent of the ornamental style of GUSTAV KLIMT (Vienna, 1862–1918).
Markings on the base: “AMPHORA / AUSTRIA” and a barely legible model number.
Exhibits wear consistent with age and use on the glazes.
Measurements: 43 × 24 × 24 cm.

The vase dates from the period of greatest acclaim for Amphora, a manufacturer founded in 1892 in Turn-Teplitz, one of Bohemia’s leading centers for ceramics. Around 1900, the firm gained international renown for its sculptural forms, relief decorations, and richly detailed glazes, becoming a benchmark for Central European Modernist ceramics.

The piece reflects the sumptuous style of the Viennese Secession through a densely ornamented surface featuring plant motifs, eye-like shapes, gilding, and polychrome cabochons. This combination of stylized naturalism, rich color, and a jewel-like effect is particularly reminiscent of the decorative world of Gustav Klimt, whose work incorporates gold backgrounds, organic structures, and circular elements transformed into ornamental motifs.

Its substantial size, the complexity of its modeling, and the well-preserved glass inlays further enhance the piece’s appeal. The “AMPHORA / AUSTRIA” mark confirms its provenance from the renowned Bohemian manufacturer, known for its experimentation with glazes, reliefs, and unique finishes.

Amphora was one of the most representative manufacturers of Art Nouveau ceramics in Bohemia. Its production achieved particular prestige between the late 19th and early 20th centuries, thanks to artists such as Eduard Stellmacher and Paul Dachsel.