An outstanding Harrach 'Art Nouveau' Vase.

I acquired this unique Harrach vase from the heritage of a noble french family. The huge 'Basdouble Maigruen' (sprading maygreen) glass vase is covered by an exquisite 'Art Nouveau' ornament. It doesn't show any naturalistic blossoms, branches nor leaves, instead the artist gives an abstract, strongly linearized impression of a blooming flower arrangement. From stylistic considerations, this design is attributed to the architect Jan Koula and was presumably made for the World Fair 1900 at Paris, where this huge vase possibly was acquired by the mentioned french noble family. This linearized, dynamic ornament shows the strong influence of Henry van de Velde, Charles Rennie Mackintosh and of his wife Margaret McDonald Mackintosh onto the design work of Jan Koula.

The first foto displays the central motiv, which is threefold repeated. In the second foto this motiv is located at the edges of the vase and their alignment by three entwined circular pink flowers emphasize the upper extended part of the vase. The details in the last two fotos demonstrate the mastership of Harrach glass enameling art. The enamel is executed in light green foliage and light pink blossoms, highlighted and combined by gilded outlines. The vase shape is known from other Harrach décors, see eg my CW contribution 'Harrach Hekla Décor Part IX'. Alltogether, this vase shows Harrach as leading company of Bohemian upcoming 'Art Nouveau' at the end of the 19.th century.

This is my largest vase, it stands H=44.5 cm high and has diameters of Do=9.0, Dm=18.5 and Du=14.5 cm, it weights 3.2 kg and is blown from top.