Art Nouveau Sculptural Gilded Vienna Bronze Candy Bowl, ca. 1900

ABOUT IRIS The iris is a special and mysterious flower. Not only because of its striking appearance, but also from an artistic and historical point of view. It is also like a work of art, as though created by Mother Nature. The unique leaves of this plant not only create wonderful shadow casts, but also look as if they were painted by hand. It's no wonder that iris acts as the muse for countless artists, and can be seen in many famous works of art. The iris was first spotted in the time of Pharaoh Thutmose, in 1504 BC. He had the iris inscribed into the wall reliefs of a temple as a sign of his power, as well as decorating his sceptre with motifs of the flower. Since then, the iris has been a symbol of victory in Egypt. But the symbolism of the iris goes further than that. In Japan, the flower represents courage and is the symbol of the boys' festival. In Islamic cultures, the iris is a symbol of prosperity. In Europe, the flower was a popular weapon symbol in the Middle Ages and stood for chivalry. And in Christianity, the iris was seen as a symbol of the trinity because of its three-part flowers. With more than 300 varieties, the iris is now the most popular flower among growers and gardeners following the rose. Countless artists use the iris in their works and the flower is present in all eras. You can see the flower on furniture, vases, jewelry, fabrics, sculptures, coats of arms and much more. Did you know that the iris is also called the sword lily? It's not a coincidence that it used to symbolize physical and emotional pain and suffering caused by a weapon. We also see the flower in religious art, where it's often associated with Mary and Jesus. The iris is also associated with the Greek goddess Iris, where the flower symbolizes reconciliation and divine messages. This is also reflected in many paintings. Finally, the iris is also visible in Dutch and Flemish still-life paintings. This can be in a religious form, incorporated into an object or as a decorative flower. In the Art Nouveau art movement, the iris (along with other plants, such as the birch) was often used as an expression of feminine beauty. With its almost otherworldly appearance, the iris is perfectly suited to the Art Nouveau aesthetic and is featured in many well-known works of art. The poet of that era, Hermann Hesse...

ABOUT A vide poche—French for empty pockets—is a valet tray or empty bowl used to collect change, keys, and daily miscellany. This unique object is created during the Art Deco era (c...

Artist: Franz Xaver Bergmann Sculpture: Crocodile This wonderful life-like little sculpture of a crocodile is actually a most convenient paperweight, and a perfect desk accesso...

ABOUT IRIS MOTIFS Iris motifs were popular during the Arts & Crafts movement. The genus of this easy-to-stylize flower has nearly 300 varieties that bloom in many colors—thus its nam...

This wonderful and witty life-like sculpture depicts a bearded Muslim man in picturesque ethnic clothes, standing at full height on a Persian rug and raising his arms up in calling o...

French Art Nouveau Ocean Life Theme Vase Cachepot Iridescent Stoneware & Patinated Bronze Crab Appliqué ca. 1900s ABOUT We present here a most unusual and utterly decorative Fren...

A beautiful Art Nouveau Vienna Secession mouth-blown „Meteor“ optical glass bowl with a rim made of silver-plated brass from the early 1900s. Designed by Koloman Moser (1868 - 1919),...

A supremely elegant Art Nouveau piece, this beautiful decorative bowl was masterfully crafted in France at the turn of the last century. Ornate bronze doré adorns two sides, handle a...

Extraordinary 20th century silver bowl or centerpiece from the early Art Nouveau in Austria around 1900. An artfully crafted, open worked silver basket made of 240,6 gramm of fine solid 800 silver (hallmarked). The exceptional design shows an amazing looking floral theme with tendrils (open worked) and little flowers on the elaborate crafted edges. Standing on four delicate feet, this matchless piece of silvercraft comes with the original amber-colored glass bowl which reinforces the extraordinary look of the openworked silver basket. A highly decorative antique silver centerpiece bowl...

Decorative dish or ashtray in cast bronze depicting a naked young mermaid with long hair. Undisturbed patina/aging. Cast anonymously in France circa 1910-30. Measurements: 18.5 x 9 x...

George Engrand Bronze Bowl – A figural bronze bowl, molded in relief with two girl heads, France circa 1900 This is an exceptional piece of art that beautifully represents the movem...

Hand-crafted Danish Art Nouveau bowl by Thorvald Bindesboell for P. Ipsens Enke designed in 1905 The bowl is in good vintage condition. Thorvald Bindesbøll (1846-1908) is was Denma...