Kneeling Nude with Tulip Vase
Decorative art, ceramic vessel with sculptural elements • Likely American or European Art Pottery (suggestive of companies like Camark, Haeger, or similar commercial art pottery manufacturers)
Style & Movement
Art Deco / Art Nouveau transition
Medium & Technique
Glazed earthenware or porcelain; slip-casting with matte and semi-matte glaze application
Creation Period
Early to mid-20th Century (circa 1920s–1940s)
Dimensions & Format
Estimated height of 6-8 inches; three-dimensional vertical format
Subject Description
A figural composition featuring a matte white kneeling nude female figure with flowing hair, appearing to embrace or lean against a large, dark, petal-formed tulip vessel. The iconography blurs the line between functional object and romantic sculpture.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Fair to Good; visible losses and wear to the dark glaze on the vessel and base
Estimated Market Value
USD 40 - USD 85
Auction Estimate
USD 30 - USD 60
Provenance History
Unknown; likely mass-produced decorative home item from the mid-20th century, common in estate transitions
Art Historical Significance
Represents the democratization of art through mass-produced pottery during the Art Deco era, bringing elegant, stylized forms into middle-class domestic settings.
Notable Features
High contrast between the uncolored/white figure and the deep green or black vessel; the organic integration of the human form with a floral motif
Condition Issues
Significant chipping and flaking of the dark overglaze/cold paint on the vase body and base, revealing the lighter clay body underneath; surface grime on the figure
Conservation Recommendations
Keep in a stable environment; clean the white figure gently with a soft brush or damp cloth, avoiding abrasive cleaners that might further damage the fragile dark glaze