There's beautiful and then there's this....
Antique Art Nouveau Royal Dux Porcelain Centerpiece / Spill Vase ~ c1900
This magnificent Art Nouveau porcelain Centerpiece / Spill Vase, designed as a nymph in a flowing dress seated on a conch shell, on a Rococo style branch base.
The piece is decorated in a palette of soft greens, blush pinks and cream. A very soft and elegant organic design typical of Royal Dux of the Art Nouveau era.
The centerpiece is marked with a raised pink triangle with "Royal Dux Bohemia", the letter E (for 'Eichler', which has later been changed to D for "Dux", whereas the 'M' can be found on items produced after 1953) and impressed model number 525. The modeler's mark 3 is impressed on one of the branch "feet". A modeler was paid by the piece and this mark was used to keep tally of a workman's count. This mark was used by Royal Dux between 1900-1918.
The Royal Dux factory became known for its earthy colored human and animal figures, and its famous raised pink triangle mark is easily recognizable among collectors.
Height: 23cm
Width: 22cm
Condition: In excellent condition, no chips, cracks or repair, please refer to the photos.
Royal Dux Porcelain - http://www.invaluable.com/royal-dux-porcelain/sc-CIMCC30AVV/
Dux Porcelain Manufactory was started in 1860 in Duchov, Bohemia by Edouard Eichler and is commonly referred to by its abbreviated name, Royal Dux. Ownership of Royal Dux has changed frequently over the span of its existence, partly due to the location of the factory. Bohemia became part of Czechoslovakia, which was first controlled by Germany, then the Soviet Union, and was changed to Czech Republic in 1990. But through decades of tyranny and wars, Royal Dux continued to produce exceptional porcelain pieces.
By the early 20th century, Royal Dux had found its specialty in porcelain statuary, Art Nouveau-style busts of maidens, large porcelain figures, and ornate vases. One of the problems facing today's collectors of Royal Dux is that many original 19th-century molds were used throughout the company's history, making it difficult to distinguish vintage pieces from more modern ones.
Though it is sometimes difficult to date pieces, their markings are distinguishable and help categorize their production into four broad categories. During World War I, the letter E appeared in the center of the pink triangle mark used to mark Royal Dux porcelain. During World War II, Made in Czechoslovakia was stamped near the triangle. From 1947 to 1990, the letter E was replaced with the letter D after renaming the factory Duchcovsky Porcelain and the Made in Czechoslovakia stamp was discontinued. Pieces produced after 1990 and today include both the Made in Czechoslovakia and Made in Czech Republic stamps.
Quick Facts
- The majority of Royal Dux company records were destroyed during World War II, making it difficult to date certain pieces
- Royal Dux won the Grand Prix prize at the 1904 World Exhibition in St Louis
- In June 2011, "The Lovers," a Royal Dux Art Nouveau porcelain centerpiece by Hampel, sold at Christie's London for $1,328
Please note: More photos on request.
Thank you for looking!
