Antique Bohemian Opaline Glass Vase 11.5" – Raised Gilt & Enamel c.1890–1910

A striking late Victorian / Art Nouveau opaline glass vase, standing approximately 11.5" / 29 cm tall, with an elegant elongated form that gently flares towards the base.

The glass has a warm ivory/cream opaque appearance, providing a wonderfully soft background for the elaborate hand decoration. Sweeping raised gilt scrolls and stylised leaves run vertically across the body, interspersed with tiny white enamel flowers, muted green foliage and dark berry-like accents.

The decoration is particularly characteristic of the elaborate ornamental glass produced in Bohemia and Central Europe during the late 19th and very early 20th centuries. Comparable Bohemian opaline pieces from around 1890–1910 combine opaque ivory glass, hand-applied floral enamelling and raised relief gilding.

The vase is unmarked, so we are deliberately not attributing it to a particular glasshouse. Similar techniques were used by several important Bohemian manufacturers, and although factories such as Harrach produced creamy satin opaline glass with high-relief gold enamel during this period, there isn't sufficient evidence to assign this example to Harrach or another named maker.

Interestingly, the smooth unmarked base does not preclude a Victorian date. Period satin and opaline glass is documented with smooth bases and no visible pontil scar, including examples decorated with raised enamel and gilding.

The vase's scale is also entirely consistent with late Victorian Bohemian decorative glass. Surviving examples approaching 12 inches / 30 cm are documented with hand-enamelled and gilt decoration and are commonly attributed broadly to Bohemian or Central European production when no factory mark survives.

Details

• Type: Decorative cylinder / trumpet vase
• Origin: Probably Bohemian / Central European
• Period: Late Victorian / early Art Nouveau
• Date: Approximately c.1890–1910
• Material: Opaque opaline/satin glass
• Height: approximately 11.5" / 29 cm
• Colour: Warm ivory / cream
• Form: Tall cylindrical body with gently flared lower section
• Decoration: Raised gilt scrollwork and foliage
• Additional decoration: Hand-enamelled flowers, leaves and berry motifs
• Maker: Unidentified / unmarked

Condition

Good antique condition with wear consistent with a piece potentially more than a century old.

There is visible rubbing and loss to the gilding around the upper rim, together with age-related wear to areas of the painted and gilt decoration. Please examine the photographs carefully for the condition of the rim, glass and decorative work, as these form part of the description.

Period Bohemian opaline glass commonly survives with some rubbing to gilded decoration, particularly around rims and other exposed areas.

A beautiful large-scale example of decorative European glass, combining the restrained warmth of ivory opaline with wonderfully extravagant raised gilding. At almost a foot tall, it has enough presence to work as a statement antique vase while retaining the delicacy associated with late Victorian enamelled glass.