Enamelled Vase with Dragonflies and Floral Motifs
Decorative Art / Hand-blown Glass Vessel • Ludwig Moser & Söhne (Moser Glassworks, Karlsbad, Bohemia)
Style & Movement
Historicism / Early Art Nouveau (Bohemian Glassmaking)
Medium & Technique
Hand-blown yellowish-green glass with hand-painted polychrome enamels and applied glass elements (snake/newt application and crimped rim)
Creation Period
circa 1880-1895
Dimensions & Format
Approximately 8-10 inches in height; Ovoid body with flared, crimped rim and flat circular base
Subject Description
The vessel features a delicate botanical composition of white umbelliferous flowers (Queen Anne's Lace style) and fluttering dragonflies. A prominent, three-dimensional applied glass aquatic animal—likely a lizard or salamander—spirals around the mid-section, providing a textural contrast to the flat enameling.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Good to Very Good; visible shelf wear and slight fading to enamel commensurate with age
Estimated Market Value
$1,200 - $2,500 USD
Auction Estimate
$800 - $1,500 USD
Provenance History
Likely sourced from a private collection or estate; identified by a handwritten dealer/collector note attributing it to Ludwig Moser in the 1890s.
Art Historical Significance
Representing the height of Bohemian glass artistry, Moser's work from this period is highly collectible. This piece showcases the transition from 19th-century naturalist motifs to the more stylized flowing lines of the Art Nouveau movement.
Notable Features
The piece features the classic 'Moser' palette and a complex pie-crust crimped rim. The applied glass creature (snake/lizard) is a signature high-quality Moser attribute that adds significant value compared to non-applied examples.
Condition Issues
Potential micro-scratching on the base and possible light oxidation to the enameled highlights; no major chips or cracks visible in the provided image.
Conservation Recommendations
Keep in a temperature-controlled environment; avoid direct sunlight which can heat the glass and stress the applied elements; clean only with a soft, dry cloth or deionized water, avoiding abrasive chemicals.