Antique hand-painted sugar bowl with iris motifs — Art Nouveau (5245)

Dimensions: Height — 15 cm Width — 16 cm Antique hand-painted sugar bowl with iris motifs An artistically valuable, compact, and visually delicate late 19th-century European table culture item — a lidded sugar bowl in Art Nouveau aesthetics (antique hand-painted iris sugar bowl). The body of the vessel is made of high-quality, thin, and resonant material, decorated with freely flowing, curved shapes with a wavy profile at the bottom. The surface of the vessel is covered with a detailed, hand-painted floral motif: majestic purple irises against a background of vibrant green leaves. The floral composition follows the curved lines of the vessel, creating a harmonious and natural composition. Both the lid’s handle and the rim of the vessel are accented with a delicate, hand-drawn gold band, adding elegance and completeness to the item. Period of creation Late 19th century, approximately 1890–1900. France or (then current Art Nouveau school). Manufacturer / Signature / Stamp The item represents specialized European manufactories that provided top-class table and tea service items at the turn of the century. Specific manufacturer’s stamps on the base have not been preserved, which is typical for individual works from artists’ workshops of that time. Rarity and significance Small, hand-painted sweet dishes of this type, which have retained their original lid and such vibrant color decoration without wear, are highly valuable interior items. The iris motif is particularly valuable as it was one of the central symbols in Art Nouveau aesthetics – a sign of elegance and mystery. Application The vessel is fully functional and serves perfectly as a sugar bowl for serving tea or coffee, or as a bonbonnière for storing fine sweets. It also serves excellently as an outstanding, standalone decorative accent in a classic interior on a console, dresser, or in a display cabinet. Condition In very good antique condition. The material body and lid are free of cracks, chips, or signs of restoration. The gold trim and floral color decoration are preserved in excellent condition with minimal, naturally acquired signs of aging. Snapshot from the Art Nouveau era: Late in the evening, by the light of a table lamp, Viktor Eglītis examined new architectural sketches and project manuscripts. Next to him on the massive wooden surface, beside a thick teapot, sat the small dish, whose painted irises, with their velvety purple hue, seemed to come alive in the rays of light. The wavy rim of the vessel and the delicate rhythm of the gold lines evoked thoughts of the inseparable unity of nature and form, which the writer passionately defended in his aesthetic theories. In the silence, broken only by the crackling of the stove and the distant hum of the city, this item, where artistic value met everyday life, momentarily transformed the working night into a ritual of sublime beauty.