Small Porcelain Vase – Art Nouveau-Inspired Decoration – Limoges, 2nd Half of the 20th C.

Small vase in white Limoges porcelain, unmarked and from an unidentified manufacturer, probably made in the second half of the 20th century.

Measuring 15 cm in height, this small vase features an elegant, gently rounded form, narrowing at the neck before opening out widely towards the rim. The white porcelain, with a glossy glaze and a very subtle bluish tone, particularly enhances the delicate relief work covering the body.

The decoration, entirely moulded in relief into the porcelain, features a naturalistic composition combining a stylized moth, a broad-petalled flower and various botanical elements. The butterfly’s wings, petals and foliage gently emerge from the surface, creating an elegant interplay of light and shadow across the white porcelain.

The organic forms, flowing lines and combination of plant and insect motifs clearly evoke the Art Nouveau aesthetic. However, the piece appears to be a later interpretation of this decorative vocabulary, probably dating from the second half of the 20th century rather than from the Art Nouveau period around 1900.

The flared neck and circular base create a well-balanced silhouette. The absence of painted decoration or gilding allows the relief work to take centre stage, giving the piece a refined, understated and distinctly contemporary appearance despite its historic inspiration.

Unmarked and from an unidentified manufacturer, the vase is offered as Limoges porcelain based on the quality and appearance of the paste, the fineness of the porcelain and the overall quality of manufacture. A specific attribution to a particular Limoges maker cannot, however, be established in the absence of a maker’s mark.

A charming decorative piece, particularly appealing to collectors of white porcelain, naturalistic decoration and Art Nouveau-inspired objects. Its 15 cm height also makes it suitable as a small decorative vase or bud vase.