Nikolaus Kannhäuser Decorative Objects

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...

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...