Royal Dux Bohemia, Art Nouveau Centerpiece, Bohemia, Circa 1900

Large enamelled porcelain centerpiece with golden highlights, representing a nymph sitting on a shell like a ship sailing on the waves, supported by two male figures emerging from arum leaves and water lilies, one at the prow holding a conch in his hands.

Founded in 1853 in northern Bohemia in Dux near Prague initially to produce utility objects, the manufacture was bought in 1862 by Eduard Eichler (1830-1887), a renowned artist, which marked the beginning of its prosperity. But it was from 1898, following his installation in Berlin, that works of remarkable quality were produced. Around 1900, this important factory produced vases, figurines, often female subjects, in exuberant decorations of flowers, leaves on shell bases, fountains… The porcelain was left in the form of biscuit, gilded or painted, often green. During the Art Nouveau period, the company enjoyed success thanks to its collaboration with renowned artists such as the modeler-decorator Alois Hampel. The manufacture is still active today.