Art Nouveau Amphora

Sinuous plants, youthful maidens and venomous dragons are among the forms that curl around the art pottery known as Art Noveau Amphora.

Art Noveau or the "New Art" emerged in the late 19th century and is recognized for the use of curvilinear forms inspired by nature and a focus on aesthetic beauty. The movement gained international popularity and influenced art, architecture, illustration and the decorative arts.

In America, Louis Comfort Tiffany and his studios created stained glass windows and iridescent art glass, while in Turn-Teplitz, Austria (now the Czech Republic), the manufacturer Riessner, Stellmacher and Kessel (RSt&K), later called Amphora, produced distinctive art pottery.

Amphora's elaborate creations ranged from the elegant to the bizarre and often were finished with striking glazes and gold accents. Some artisans sculpted beautiful women and mythical beasts, while others created vessels inspired by budding flowers and climbing vines. While Amphora is best known for their pottery in the Art Nouveau style, they produced a range of work demonstrating shifting tastes and artistic styles during the era.

Credit: Exhibition overview from museum website