Art Nouveau Sculpted Floral Majolica Vase

This exquisite early 20th-century French Art Nouveau vase exemplifies the Barbotine majolica technique. It combines the rich, opaque glazes characteristic of majolica with the sculptural depth achieved through Barbotine, where liquid clay is applied to create raised, three-dimensional designs. This interplay results in a vibrant, tactile surface.

The vase presents a dramatic silhouette, featuring a flared, petal-formed rim leading to an elongated neck. Dual sinuous scroll handles frame a generous globular body. A deep, lustrous glaze, shifting between midnight teal and metallic charcoal, forms the backdrop for striking high-relief floral motifs. Stylized lilies, rendered in vibrant amethyst and saffron yellow with verdant foliage, emerge from the surface, embodying the organic fluidity central to Art Nouveau aesthetics.

The vase exhibits excellent color and distinct relief work. Restoration is present on the petal rim, specifically a repair visible on a section of one petal.

France

Early 20th Century