Ceramic vase "Four Seasons"
Ceramic vase "Four Seasons"
Quick info
ceramic | height 20.5 cm | Ø 11.5 cm
Detailed description
Ceramic vase "Four Seasons"
This vase made of ceramic presents the four seasons with fairytale-like female figures surrounded by blossoms. Height 20.5 cm. Diameter 11.5 cm.
Customer reviews
Die Vase gefällt mir sehr . Versand verlief erwartungsgemäß pünktlich und gut verpackt . Danke .
About Alphonse Mucha
1860-1939
Alphonse Mucha was one of the most important grandmasters of Art Nouveau.
After his first steps as an autodidact, he studied in Munich and Vienna, from where he finally moved to Paris. There he developed his typical style full of symbols, delicate colours and decorative elements, which he liked to entwine around fairy-like young women with long, flowing hair. Due to his versatility, Mucha was practically overwhelmed with commissions and was soon regarded as one of the main representatives of Art Nouveau.
Alphonse Mucha achieved fame with the posters for the stage roles of Sarah Bernhardt. His speciality was calendar illustrations, but he also showed his art in stained glass windows, furniture, costumes...
Art Nouveau, or the German term Jugendstil (lit.: "Youth Style"), is the art epoch between 1890-1910. The name originates from the Munich-based magazine "Jugend" (Youth), founded in 1896. It was the German counterpart of Art Nouveau (France), but also internationally known as Modern Style (England) or Secession (Austria).
Art Nouveau conquered all of Europe and innumerable works were created, ranging from painting and applied arts to architecture. One of the requirements of Art Nouveau was the artistic design of everyday objects, i.e. beauty and practicality were combined. The desired unity of the artistic ability could only be achieved through individually influenced design, which made the Jugenstil the precursor of modernism. The essential characteristic of Art Nouveau is linear, often asymmetrical ornamentation. The models are particularly taken from nature and flora.
Major Art Nouveau centres were formed in Munich, Darmstadt, Brussels, Paris and Nancy (Glass Art by Emile Gallé). The Viennese architecture of that time was determined by Otto Wagner and J. Hoffmann. Gustav Klimt created paintings that gave sensual shape to the spirit of Art Nouveau.
Ceramic product made of kaolin, quartz and feldspar.
Porcelain is formed by turning or pressing and figurative objects are cast. Complex objects have to be cast in separated steps and sections and then "assembled". After the moulding, the pieces are dried and "annealed" at about 900 °C. Next, the glaze will be applied and fired at temperatures between 1,240 °C and 1,445 °C. In renowned manufactures, the porcelain is painted by hand whereby each colour has to be fired individually and in compliance with narrow temperature tolerances.
Porcelain was invented in China and became widespread in Europe from the 16th century onwards. The first European porcelain factory was founded in Meissen, Germany in 1710.
Other famous European porcelain factories include Fürstenberg, Höchst, Schwarzburger Werkstätten, Lladró, Nymphenburg, KPM, Augarten, Sèvres, Limoges, Royal Copenhagen, Worcester. Individual factories label their products with their personal porcelain stamps so that for the collecter it is easy to identify their origin.