Monumental Decorative Vessel with Floral Motif

Tall stylized blooms rise at each side, and gold-flecked water ripples between them.

This monumental decorative vessel with floral motif dates to the 20th century and is painted and gilded porcelain. Its long-stemmed flowers and flowing lines follow the Art Nouveau taste, which favored stylized plants and sinuous curves drawn from nature. The deep goblet-shaped bowl is painted with tall iris-like flowers in blue and gray, framed by arching petals, over pale blue bands of rippling water. A cobalt band with gilt stars runs under the gold rim, and the stepped foot is cobalt with a gold network of circles. It stands 20 inches high and 13 in diameter.

Big enough for a bouquet, though it hardly needs one.