Jugendstil—the Germanic name for the sinuous, ethereal design style best known as Art Nouveau—rarely found better expression in ceramics that at the kilns of Amphora. In 1892, Austrian potter Alfred Stellmacher and four relatives opened a workshop that produced earthenware featuring plants, animals, mythical creatures, simulated jewels and even portraits in the style of Gustav Klimt and other fashionable painters of the era. Each piece was signed Amphora. The factory also produced ewers, bowls, tureens, and other diverse shapes. Located in the former spa resort town of Turn-Teplitz (now part of the Czech Republic), the Amphora factory took advantage of the abundant kaolin in the local riverbeds—as well as the energy produced by the rivers themselves—in manufacturing their arresting wares.
Amphora pieces were painstakingly produced via a method that included detailed sketches, intricate carving and molding and luminous iridescent glazing. All culminated with repeated firings of the clay—sometimes as many as ten times. As a result, the firm won worldwide acclaim, taking gold medals at the Chicago and St. Louis World’s Fairs. Its wares were sold by luxury emporiums like Tiffany & Co.
Collectors prize Amphora vases for their delicate, naturalistic designs, and larger pieces often command prices in the tens of thousands. Equally sought after are portrait busts featuring religious, literary and allegorical themes. If you’re mourning the end of Downton Abbey and you’d like to add a dash of Lady Edith’s bohemian flair to your home, an Amphora vase or bowl will serve as a unique conversation piece.
Amphora Ceramic Vase by Nikolaus Kannhäuser, Art Nouveau, Circa 1898
By Amphora, Nikolaus Kannhäuser
Located in Klosterneuburg, AT
Bohemian Ceramic Vase Designed by Nikolaus Kannhäuser Manufactured by Amphora Riessner Stellmacher & Kessel, Turn-Teplitz circa 1898 "ivory p...
Ceramic
Amphora Earthenware Shaped Vase, Viennese, Austria, 1900
By Amphora
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Amphora earthenware shaped vase, Viennese, Austria, from the beginning of the 20th century, circa 1900 with four stylized handles.
Ceramic
Ceramic Pot, Bowl, Jardiniere, Three Musketeers, Dumas, Amphora, 1920, Bohemia
By Amphora
Located in Wien, AT
Very rare literature themed ceramic object of the well-known company Amphora from Bohemia, Czech Republic, made in the Art Deco period around 1920. The three musketeers of the well-known novel of 1844 by Alexandre Dumas are depicted in 3 side cartouches of this pot. Athos, Porthos and Aramis are delightfully painted in high detail by hand with masterly quality in enamel. The vessel is constructed in such a way that it has three handles on which small lizards / dragons rest, which are also detailed and beautifully physically designed. On the bottom is the amphora brand in underglaze. Measurements approx.: height 12.5 cm - 4.92 in, diameter 22 cm - 8.66 in This is an outstandingly rare object from a renowned manufactory, with a reference to French literature, to a classic of world literature.
Enamel
$6,527Sale Price / set|20% Off
Antique Amphora Vases by Nikolaus Kannhäuser, Ivory Porcelain, 1898, Art Nouveau
By Nikolaus Kannhäuser, Amphora
Located in Klosterneuburg, AT
Pair of vases, Nikolaus Kannhäuser, Amphora Riessner Stellmacher & Kessel, ca. 1898, marked The female figure held a central position in Jugendstil in general and particularly i...
Ceramic
$2,873
H 10.75 in W 5.25 in D 4.4 in
Striking Art Nouveau Ceramic and Bronze-Mounted Vase in Victor Horta Style
By Victor Horta
Located in Lisse, NL
Top condition and pure elegance Art Nouveau vase. For the collectors of museum quality and condition Art Nouveau ceramics. This stunning Art Nouveau vase is decorated with the mos...
Bronze
$1,676 / set
H 9.45 in W 4.73 in D 4.73 in
Set of Three Decorative White Ceramic Boxes or Pots by Lion French Handmade
By Eugène Lion
Located in Neuilly-en- sancerre, FR
Eugene Lion, circa 1940 Set of three decorative pots or boxes in stoneware ceramic. Elegant white ceramic glaze color. Original form of the 20th mid-century design. n°...
Ceramic
1970s Ceramic Amphora with Iron Base
Located in Marbella, ES
1970s ceramic amphora with iron base.
Iron
Early 20th Century Art Nouveau Column with Ceramic Vase
Located in Casale Monferrato, IT
We present this splendid column vase, made in Italy, dating back to the early 20th century. The vase is crafted from polychrome glazed ceramic. The eye-catching decoration captures t...
Ceramic
Royal Bonn Art Nouveau Vase
By Royal Bonn
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
Royal Bonn Art Nouveau vase.
Ceramic
$8,900
H 11.5 in W 5.5 in D 5.5 in
Art Nouveau "Vase with Swirling Water Dragon" by Stellmacher for RStK Amphora
By Eduard Stellmacher, Amphora
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Note: We highly recommend shipping through 1stDibs for its cost effectiveness, full insurance coverage, and reliable handling. While standard parcel services are an option, the defau...
Earthenware
Art Nouveau Villeroy and Boch Saxony Poppy Porcelain Egg Cups
By Villeroy & Boch
Located in New York, NY
Set of four Jugendstil Saxony Poppy porcelain egg cups by Villeroy and Boch, Dresden, Germany, dating between 1874- 1909. Beautiful stylized Art No...
Porcelain
$908 / set
H 11.82 in W 5.12 in D 5.12 in
Pair of Art Nouveau orange apothecary jars, hand-painted porcelain
Located in Valladolid, ES
Amazing pair of porcelain apothecary jars, with cartouches reading "Amber" and "Opium." These jars were traditionally used by apothecaries to store medicinal liquids. However, in ad...
Ceramic
Early 20th Century Art Nouveau Vase by Alphonse Cytère, 1910
By Jean-Baptiste Alphonse Cytère 1
Located in Paris, FR
A beautiful antique ceramic vase handcrafted by Alphonse Cytère known for developing this metallic finish. Typical Art Nouveau style. This model with...
Ceramic
$48,000
H 22.25 in W 9 in D 9 in
Art Nouveau "Vase with Water Plants and Bats" by Paul Dachsel for RStK Amphora
By Amphora, Paul Dachsel
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Note: We highly recommend shipping through 1stDibs for its cost effectiveness, full insurance coverage, and reliable handling. While standard parcel services are an option, the defau...
Earthenware
$680
H 11.5 in W 7 in D 9 in
Austrian Ugly Devil Face Jug Pitcher, Vintage Austria Earthenware Folk Art
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Decorate a shelf or kitchen counter with this elegant and characterful antique jug or pitcher. Created by an artisan in Carinthia, Austria, this distinctive piece features a sculptur...
Ceramic, Majolica
Sainte Radegonde Vase or Bowl, c.1920s
By Sainte Radegonde
Located in Watford, GB
Small vase in speckled turqoise earthenware with creamy bow shaped ribbons from Faience de Sainte Radegonde, France, c.1920s. Faience de Sainte Radegonde, France is historically imp...
Ceramic, Pottery
Sold
H 14.18 in Dm 7.49 in
Austrian Art Nouveau Ceramic Portrait Vase Amphora Gold Ochre Purple circa 1900
By Amphora
Located in Klosterneuburg, AT
Austrian Art Nouveau Ceramic portrait vase manufactured by Amphora-Werke Riessner, Stellmacher & Kessel Turn-Teplitz circa 1899 Austrian Art Nouveau Ceramic portrait Vase "Germania...
Ceramic
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H 7.68 in Dm 4.73 in
Figurative Ceramic Vase Dragon Amphora Bohemia Jugendstil circa 1901 Brown Green
By Eduard Stellmacher, Amphora
Located in Klosterneuburg, AT
Small Dragon Vase, Eduard Stellmacher, Amphora-Werke Riessner Stellmacher & Kessel, ca. 1901, Elfenbeinporzellan, marked Around 1900, the manufacture Amphora rose to the top of European ceramics...
Ceramic
Art Nouveau Ceramic Portrait Allegory Vase Gold Amphora circa 1900 Austria
By Nikolaus Kannhäuser, Amphora
Located in Klosterneuburg, AT
Austrian Art Nouveau ceramic portrait vase designed and painted by Nikolaus Kannhäuser manufactured by Amphora-Werke Riessner, Stellmacher & Kessel Turn-Teplitz circa 1900 This de...
Ceramic
Sold
H 13.39 in Dm 5.12 in
Austrian Art Nouveau Ceramic Portrait Vase Amphora Gold Ochre Blue circa 1899
By Amphora
Located in Klosterneuburg, AT
Austrian Art Nouveau Ceramic portrait vase manufactured by Amphora-Werke Riessner, Stellmacher & Kessel Turn-Teplitz circa 1899 This extraordinary portrait vase made of so-called...
Ceramic
Sold
H 8.27 in Dm 4.93 in
Austrian Art Nouveau Ceramic Portrait Vase Amphora Gold Brown Ochre, circa 1897
By Nikolaus Kannhäuser, Amphora
Located in Klosterneuburg, AT
Austrian Art Nouveau Ceramic portrait vase designed and painted by Nikolaus Kannhäuser manufactured by Amphora-Werke Riessner, Stellmacher & Kessel Turn-Teplitz circa 1897 A remarkable example from Amphora is this portrait vase painted and signed by Nikolaus Kannhäuser circa 1897. It is an excellently preserved piece from a series of vases that represent Kannhäuser's engagement with Mucha's early work. Especially characteristic are the stylized facial features of this young beauty. The reduction of the color palette and the focus on equally straight as well as precise executions also evoke a homage to Mucha's significant style, which is masterfully reinterpreted here. The en-face depiction of the woman's portrait captures the attention of the viewer in an intensive way. Her gaze seems unagitated and yet inviting, peaceful and yet self-confident. Once torn from the protagonist's eyes, the spiral relief ridges direct the eye's gaze to the vase's refined form. The background of dense and leafy trees also fits harmoniously into the overall picture of this work of art and underlines the motif of flora in terms of content. marked with „NK“ underlined, “AMPHORA TURN...
Ceramic
Sold
H 3.94 in Dm 8.67 in
Austrian Art Nouveau Ceramic Bowl Eduard Stellmacher Amphora Blue, circa 1902
By Eduard Stellmacher, Amphora
Located in Klosterneuburg, AT
Austrian Art Nouveau symbolistic ceramic bowl from the "Fates-series" designed by Eduard Stellmacher manufactured by Amphora-Werke Riessner, Stellmacher & Kessel Turn-Teplitz circa 1...
Ceramic
Sold
H 8.86 in Dm 5.52 in L 8.86 in
Austrian Art Nouveau Ceramic Vase with Sea Monster Amphora Brown circa 1902
By Eduard Stellmacher, Amphora
Located in Klosterneuburg, AT
Austrian Art Nouveau ceramic vase with deep sea monster designed by Eduard Stellmacher manufactured by Amphora-Werke Riessner, Stellmacher & Kessel Turn-Teplitz circa 1902 Dragons...
Ceramic
Sold
H 11.42 in Dm 4.53 in
Austrian Art Nouveau Ceramic Candlestick Eduard Stellmacher Amphora circa 1902
By Eduard Stellmacher, Amphora
Located in Klosterneuburg, AT
Austrian Art Nouveau ceramic candlestick from the “Fates-series” designed by Eduard Stellmacher manufactured by Amphora-Werke Riessner, Stellmacher & Kessel Turn-Teplitz circa 1902 i...
Ceramic
Sold
H 14.57 in Dm 7.49 in
Austrian Art Nouveau Ceramic Portrait Vase Amphora White Ochre Gold circa 1898
By Amphora
Located in Klosterneuburg, AT
Austrian Art Nouveau Ceramic Portrait vase manufactured by Amphora-Werke Riessner, Stellmacher & Kessel Turn-Teplitz circa 1898 Depictions of female faces and bodies were a centr...
Ceramic
Austrian Art Nouveau Ceramic Portrait Vase Amphora White Blue circa 1897
By Amphora
Located in Klosterneuburg, AT
Austrian Art Nouveau Ceramic Portrait vase Allegory of Autumn manufactured by Amphora-Werke Riessner, Stellmacher & Kessel Turn-Teplitz circa 1897 A perfect example of the qualit...
Ceramic
Sculpture Ceramic by Elie van Damme for Amphora, 1960s
By Elie van Damme, Amphora
Located in Antwerp, BE
Moulded sitting Girl sculpture, edited by Amphora, created by Elie Van Damme. Black metallic glaze.Perfect condition. Belgium 1960s.
Ceramic
Amphora Planter
By Amphora
Located in Antwerp, BE
Vintage midcentury ceramic flower pot. Matte grey blue glaze with bright glossy teal inside. Textured surface design.
Ceramic