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Question about my Villeroy & Boch Mettlach Art Nouveau Vase

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    Posted 11 years ago

    Hyp-storian
    (40 items)

    I just purchased this gorgeous (!) 14 inch tall Villeroy & Boch Mettlach Art Nouveau stoneware vase, and am actually a bit concerned that it is in such "mint" condition! The date code ("06" is stamped just outside the image on the bottom right of scan #4 is for 1906), and I was wondering if anyone could educate me about possible later reproductions being out there on the market? Hopefully not, because I paid $700 for this beauty, but although it IS possible that this vase was treated with exceptional care all these years (because it was expensive back in the day too, and people used to place such objects on doilys to protect from scratching them and/or the furniture), I'm amazed that there's no apparent wear on the bottom. It IS in "mint" condition just as the seller described it, but I would like to be certain that no later reproductions were ever produced.
    The only two other examples I've ever seen ALSO appeared to be in "mint" condition, although a picture of the bottom was not shown. One is in the collection of the Kirkland museum in Denver, and the other was auctioned in Germany back in 2005 (where it sold for 600 Euros + premium, which is about $1,200).

    I would REALLY appreciate hearing from someone who knows more about this subject that I do (which is precious little).
    Thanks in advance for any advice you may be able to provide!

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    Comments

    1. vetraio50 vetraio50, 11 years ago
      Mint condition can mean quality production too. Good sturdy ware is Mettlach. Those steins got lots of use and they knew how to do it. I have a small dish that you'd swear was made yesterday. Your vase is a beautiful piece of Jugendstil. Thanks for sharing it.
    2. Hyp-storian, 11 years ago
      Thanks so much for your reply. I too have a feeling that it's original vintage 1906, but there are SO many scam artists and forgers these days that I'd like to be 100% "certain" if possible.
      I just found the email address of the V/B Mettlach museum in Germany, and sent them an email with these same pictures. Hopefully between them, and knowledgeable collectors on here like yourself, I will get "confirmation". My wife and I absolutely LOVE this vase, and would be heartbroken to discover that it was simply a well-made reproduction.
    3. cogito cogito, 11 years ago
      Fret not. It looks good. The vases received much less ware than the steins.
    4. Hyp-storian, 11 years ago
      Thank you both (for that reassuring thought, and appreciative comment). I was just a bit worried that the bottom of the vase had no obvious wear because they frequently mention that on the "Antiques Roadshow" as a sure sign of appropriate age. But such decorative vases are indeed way different than utilitarian objects like a stein.
      Yes, when I spotted it I just "had" to have it, and had fortunately sold something else recently and had the money available (whew!).
    5. Hyp-storian, 11 years ago
      I just received the following reply from the V/B museum in Germany:

      Dear Sir,

      Thank you for writing and your interest in Villeroy & Boch and its historical products.

      The vase that you bought is really an antique one manufactured in 1906.
      This vase can be proved the first time in a catalogue of the year 1905, that means in this year Villeroy & Boch started to sell this item.
      Villeroy & Boch never has made modern reproductions of this pattern in order that you may be sure that your vase is an original one that dates back to the year 1906.

      We hope that our informations will be satifying for you. In case of any further questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us again.

      Kind regards

      Karin Birkenbach | Keramikmuseum
      info@keramikmuseum-mettlach.de
      Villeroy & Boch AG
      Hauptverwaltung


      Oh, happy days!
      ; - )
    6. inky inky, 11 years ago
      Well done it is a beautiful vase!...:-)
    7. Hyp-storian, 11 years ago
      Thanks, I consider myself very fortunate to own it (as will my daughter when I kick the bucket one day...; - )
    8. vetraio50 vetraio50, 11 years ago
      1906 was a great year, then. Great vase!
    9. Hyp-storian, 11 years ago
      Thanks! It's actually even much nicer in person than it looks on the photos (which I copied from the auction listing).
      Really amazing that this looks as new as the day it was made 106 years later...!
      That's why I was initially a bit nervous that it might be a reproduction...


    10. cogito cogito, 11 years ago
      Save the VB response with the vase. I think it is safe to say that you have a vase in truly "mint" condition!
    11. vetraio50 vetraio50, 11 years ago
      Any idea who designed this one, cogito?
    12. Hyp-storian, 11 years ago
      Thanks for the excellent advice Cogito- I just printed out their email and will save it!
      I'd love to know who designed it too. What first caught my attention is that the "tree branches" at the top of the vase look remarkably similar to those in the "copper clad" ceramic vase (from the same time period) I also listed on here about six months ago. Not just "vaguely" similar, but VERY similar. Probably just coincidence, but then again, maybe not.....


    13. cogito cogito, 11 years ago
      Not certain on the designer off-hand, but the motif and color combinations appear on numerous other VB items from that period. I think this vase was part of that line of items, all similarly decorated. I'll do some digging to see what I can find out.
    14. scskimeister, 10 years ago
      I have a charger plate and 12 dessert plates in a very similar design and color, given as a wedding present to my grandmother around 1909. The date stamped on the back of my charger plate is 09. The other markings are similar to those on your vase. I've never been able to find other images of this design, your vase, plus some other auctions items that match my plates, confirm the age and authenticity.
    15. Hyp-storian, 10 years ago
      I also have the charger plate, and a hexagonal-sided bowl (8 1/2 inches).
      What a wonderful design!
    16. shiningtree, 9 years ago
      Because of the type of clay it ages really well with no crazing, no doubt this is original and all as t should be, I had a pair similair, many years ago, slightly narrower neck, and handles.

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