Fleur-de-lis vase

School of Applied Arts, Prague, Czech Republic, student work based on a design by Celestýn Klouček, 1900

Tin-glazed earthenware, white body with wild fleur-de-lis motif in relief, painted.

H: 37 cm

Markings: PRAHA 1900 engraved on base

UMP 9464

This unique vase comes from a collection designed by Professor Celestýn Klouček and created by his students for the Prague School of Applied Arts’ exhibit at the Exposition Universelle of 1900 in Paris.

Unlike French ceramics, which were usually inspired by Japanese art in their selection of motifs, Klouček let himself be guided by Czech nature. His designs and his students’ works feature the flowers and berries of primroses, peonies, guelder-roses, rowans, linden and locust trees and other plants, delicately executed in symmetrically composed, low to almost flat relief with only sporadic highlights of colour. The glazes

are dominated by muted browns, greens, and smoky blues, occasionally with light off-yellow shades. (lmp)