A large English majolica piece, winged dragon bowl on sphinx base. England ca 1830, rare. This grand Majolica Ewer Espergne is similar style to porcelain pieces of WS Schiller, Gustafsberg, Eichwald Hugo Lonitz.
It is a handsome Majolica jardinière stand uniquely designed with a mythological theme which features a dramatic Sphynx winged creature supporting a large dragon above her head. This Art Nouveau porcelain jardiniere is of boat shape. The bowl is deep with scalloped edges. It is huge and an outstanding piece of Antique Majolica. The detail is extraordinary by any measure. The figure is a winged Dragon at the top. Along the belly are multi florals and scrolls. As the pictures depict various ornamental decorated relief up down all around. The details of this enormous pitcher makes the Statement any designer or collector wants. Based on the rendition and the theme on the Pitcher, we would believe it to be an earlier design in the late 1800’s. The Dragon has such fine detailed work, it is apparent that this Pitcher was in no way handed off to an apprentice to copy. This detail work is so fine it could have only have been created by a "Master Artist". The colors are remarkable mauve and outstanding cobalt blue.
About 32 pounds in weight
Size: The bowl is 23" wide and boat shaped, overall height is 25".
Condition: It is in very good condition. A piece of this size and weight is very technically challenging to make - at about 32 pounds dry, it would have been much heavier when wet. There are no broken pieces that we notice. Look carefully at photos.
Maker: We do not know the maker, and as far as we can see, there is no makers mark on this piece, and no Country of origin. It has been suggested it is the 19th Century work of Hugo Lonitz of Germany.
Vases bearing ethereal mythological sculpted and applied creatures such this one with its exotic glazes, elaborate detailing seem to have tumbled out of fairy tales in styles ranging from Art Nouveau to Symbolism and Secessionism. Its aesthetic style displays an Eastern European exuberance inspired by Bohemian folklore and its Celtic roots.
Byron Vreeland, author of Monsters & Maidens: Amphora Pottery of the Art Nouveau Era. “These ceramics often appeal to people with vivid imaginations and a penchant for the bizarre. Sometimes the dragons go home only to be rebuffed by the wife.”
This is a big, heavy item - it will be expensive to ship. We prefer local pick up.
(#5 -- RM7)
