M.S. Rau Vases and Vessels

Pulled Feather Favrile Glass Vase Tiffany Studios Circa 1910 This monumental Favrile glass vase by Tiffany Studios exemplifies the artistry and innovation that defined Louis Comfort...

Floriform Vase Tiffany Studios Circa 1905 A captivating floriform vase by Tiffany Studios, this striking work demonstrates the artistic vision that made Louis Comfort Tiffany synony...

Pair of Médicis Vases Commissioned by Napoléon for Charles-Maurice de Talleyrand-Périgord Sèvres Circa 1806 Commissioned by Emperor Napoléon I and executed by the world-renowned Sèv...

Fairyland Lustre Imps on a Bridge Vase Wedgwood Circa 1920 This stunning Wedgwood Fairyland Lustre baluster-form bone china vase, designed by Daisy Makeig-Jones, displays the highly...

Fairyland Lustre Torches and Tree Serpent Pillar Vase Wedgwood Circa 1925 This superb Wedgwood pillar vase is an extraordinary example of the company's magnificent Fairyland Lustre ...

Designed by René Lalique in 1912, this Sauterelles pattern vase features details of whimsical grasshoppers resting on long reeds or blades of grass. The vessel highlights the master'...

This rare Daum Nancy vase showcases the superb quality and detail for which the firm's cameo glass is beloved. Vibrant red flowers were acid-etched on the vibrant yellow-orange groun...

This magnificent vase is adorned with intricate geometric patterns and elegant gold gilding, featuring two captivating scenes. One side depicts figures in vividly colorful attire adm...

This remarkable foo dog carrying a decorative vessel embodies both artistry and symbolism, featuring a vase adorned with images of Buddhist monks adorned with gilded halos. The foo d...

Blue Vinaigrette Bottle T.G. Hawkes & Co. Circa 1915 This exquisite blue and gold bottle by the renowned T. G. Hawkes & Company features intricate scrolling intaglio designs, comple...

Designed by René Lalique on November 12, 1926, this Palissy pattern vase is punctuated by beautiful conical shell shapes projecting out from the vase's form. The vessel highlights th...

This Japanese Satsuma vase is intricately decorated with geometric patterns and lively scenes of leisure activities including calligraphy and a friendly game of Go. The vase presents...

The work of famed French glass master René Lalique, this dynamic vase is crafted in the rare and intricate Formose pattern. Conceived in 1924 during the height of Art Deco, its spher...

Designed by René Lalique on November 16, 1926, this Domrémy pattern vase is punctuated by beautiful thistle plants. Lalique creates the swirling plant tendrils crowned by blooming th...

This exquisitely detailed, double-gourd Japanese Satsuma vase represents the zenith of Japanese earthenware artistry. Elaborately hand-painted, it features detailed floral motifs, wh...

This exquisite Daum Nancy vase shows the superb quality and detail for which the firm's cameo glass is beloved. Carefully acid-etched and enameled, the vase presents a tranquil scene...

This vibrant and ornate vase captivates the eye with its intricate details which stand as a testament to the mastery of Satsuma artists. The vase features rich reds, deep blues and s...

Iridescent circular shapes in various hues of yellow and gold adorn this beautiful vase from the renowned 19th-century Bohemian art glass firm Loetz. Crafted in a trumpet-like design with Loetz's signature luster, this vase exhibits the quintessential Art Nouveau sensibility for which Loetz glass is so esteemed. One of the largest producers of high-quality art glass in the Art Nouveau style, Loetz's accomplishments with iridescent glass...

Created by the inimitable Daum Nancy, this cameo vase showcases the superb quality and detail for which the firm is beloved. Green acid-etched florals rise from the vibrant red and y...

This important Federzeichnung, which translates to pen drawing, glass vase by Loetz features the “octopus” motif. Distinguished by an intricate scrolling air-trap design and external...

This extraordinary square form Satsuma vase with a circular top is adorned with Buddhist monks and signed on the underside “Great Japan, Satsuma, Hododa.” This represents the highly ...

This engraved muffineer bottle by T.G. Hawkes & Co. features a sterling base and top by the esteemed jewelry firm Spaulding & Co. of Chicago, often referred to as "The Tiffany of the...

A bird in flight adorns this charming perfume bottle attributed to famed French porcelain maker Jacob Petit. It is exemplary of the opulent artistry for which Petit is renowned, from...

Fuchsia Vase Daum Nancy Circa 1900 This exceptional Daum Nancy vase displays stunning enamel-painted fuchsias on its slender form. The vase is a masterwo...

Phaenomen Genre Vase Loetz Circa 1890-1899 This elegant Jugendstil vase by Loetz exudes an enchanting, colorful glow, featuring the iconic Phaenomen Genre Series 1 glass bowl, first...

Blue and Orange Glass Vase with Wrought Iron Frame Daum Nancy and Majorelle Circa 1925 This remarkable vase showcases the combined artistry of Daum Nancy and Louis Majorelle, two of...

Gilt Bronze Vase Christofle Circa 1930 This exemplary Art Nouveau vase demonstrates Christofle's mastery of metalworking during the early 20th century. The graceful oviform vessel r...

Pair of World's Exhibition Vases Minton Dated 1876 This extraordinary pair of Minton vases represents the pinnacle of 19th-century British ceramic artistry, created in 1876 likely f...

Pair of Russian Malachite Tazze Imperial Lapidary Works Circa 1830 A magnificent example of early 19th-century Russian craftsmanship, this pair of malachite tazze was created by the Imperial Lapidary Works of Ekaterinburg, circa 1830. These works exemplify the period when malachite emerged as the principal decorative material in Russian hardstone...

Acid Etched Vase Daum Nancy Circa 1930 This exceptional Art Deco vase by Daum Nancy exemplifies the era’s embrace of modern design. Its spherical for...

Blue Glass and Wrought Iron Vase Daum Nancy and Majorelle Circa 1925 This exceptional glass and wrought iron vase represents a striking collaboration between Daum Nancy and Louis Ma...

Favrile Glass Vase Louis Comfort Tiffany Circa 1900 This rare glass vase by Louis Comfort Tiffany is a striking example of Tiffany Studios’ groundbreaking innovation in Art Nouveau ...

Of all the glassworks produced in the late 19th century, cameo glass was the most challenging to perfect. Only a handful of artisans succeeded in mastering this intricate craft, with the firm of Thomas Webb & Sons standing out as the most accomplished. Webb’s cameo...

Pair of Gilded Bronze Vases Christofle Circa 1930 This rare pair of Christofle bronze vases epitomizes the pinnacle of French decorative arts from t...

Gilt and Enamel Red Pillow Vase Moser Late 19th Century A masterpiece of artistry and craftsmanship, this exquisite Moser pillow vase dazzles with its rich ruby glass and intricate ...

Acid Etched Vase Daum Nancy Circa 1925 This rare and striking Art Deco vase by Daum Nancy represents the pinnacle of French craftsmanship. The spheri...

Pair of Porcelain and Dorè Bronze Vases Sèvres Circa 1845 With porcelain vessels in the iconic Sèvres cobalt blue, encased in lavish doré bronze armatures, this pair of Louis XVI-style urns epitomizes the masterful craftsmanship and refined beauty of the famed porcelain manufactory. Each urn is adorned with three finely chased caryatid figures joined by floral garlands, resting upon a reticulated circular gilt bronze base. Since its founding in the 18th century, the Sèvres porcelain manufactory has been synonymous with the finest porcelain wares. Established under the patronage of Louis XV and Madame de Pompadour, the firm quickly became the official royal porcelain producer. Throughout the 19th century, Sèvres expanded its repertoire, designing distinct vase forms that ranged from neoclassical grandeur to Gothic delicacy. These exceptional urns pay homage to Pierre Gouthière, one of the most renowned bronze artists of the preceding century. Appointed gilder to King Louis XV in 1767, Gouthière revolutionized metalwork, pioneering a gilding technique that achieved an exquisite matte finish. Similar caryatid figures appear on vases once owned by the Duke of Talleyrand, while similar mermaid motifs—prevalent in Gouthière’s work—can be found on a serpentine marble vase in the Louvre. These vases embody the grandeur of Louis XVI-style ornamentation, blending rich materials with impeccable detail. Each: 19 3/4 high x 13" diameter Marked under bronze Sèvres Louis Philippe...

Cameo Glass Polar Bear Vase Émile Gallé Circa 1927 This towering Art Nouveau vase stands as one of the finest achievements of Émile Gallé’s iconic gla...

Cameo Glass Elephant Vase Émile Gallé Circa 1925 This monumental Art Nouveau vase is one of the finest achievements of Émile Gallé’s iconic glassmaking firm. Showcasing Gallé’s mast...

Royal Rouge Griotte Marble Athenienne After Pierre Gouthière Late 19th Century This monumental pair of Napoleon III gilt bronze-mounted Royal Rouge Griotte athenienne perfume vases ...

This exquisite vase belongs to Loetz's prestigious Papillon collection and is identified as the 7724 form. Renowned for its captivating color palette, this piece showcases a striking...

Of all the glassworks produced in the late 19th century, cameo glass was the most challenging to perfect. Only a handful of artisans succeeded in mastering this intricate craft, with...

Of all the glassworks produced in the late 19th century, cameo glass was the most challenging to perfect. Only a handful of artisans succeeded in mastering this intricate craft, with...

Of all the glassworks produced in the late 19th century, cameo glass was the most challenging to perfect. Only a handful of artisans succeeded in mastering this intricate craft, with...

Crafted by the celebrated French glassmaker René Lalique, this exquisite Danaides vase is one of the master artisan's most unique and beautiful designs. Molded from polished opalesce...

Abstracted foliage swirls to form this Lalique vase in the Acanthes design, first designed by René Lalique on February 28, 1927. Inspired by the timeless natural motif, this vase emb...

An important pair of Old Paris platinum-ground and gilt-trimmed porcelain vases with classical figures on each of the panels. Excellent condition. Circa 1...

A lovely Limoges enamel vase featuring a handsome gentleman in richly appointed period costume. Excellent condition. Circa 1900.

Of all the glassworks produced in the late 19th century, cameo glass was the most challenging to perfect. Only a handful of artisans succeeded in mastering this intricate craft, with...

This rare and significant cameo glass vase exemplifies the exceptional craftsmanship of George Woodall, a master artist celebrated for his outstanding skill in cameo carving. The amp...

This extraordinary First Edition Wedgwood rendering of the legendary Portland Vase is one of the rarest masterpieces of Josiah Wedgwood, the most important ceramics manufacturer of the 18th century. A tour de force of ceramic art, the Portland Vase First Editions are regarded as one of the greatest ceramic accomplishments of the 18th century, and they are a testament to the superior skill of Josiah Wedgwood, his extraordinary ambition and his tireless dedication to perfection. One of the very few First Editions still in private hands, this exceptional Wedgwood Portland Vase is one of the most important works of ceramics on the market. The story of Wedgwood and the Portland Vase is legendary. The original Portland Vase is the ancient world's most famous decorative arts masterpiece—a cameo glass vase dating to circa 25 CE with a frieze representing the myth of Peleus and Thetis, initially thought to be carved from stone. When it was first rediscovered around 1582, it captivated the world with its opaque white cameo figures over its rich blue background. After the vase was excavated it was owned by Cardinal Barberini, whose family later sold it to the Duke of Hamilton who eventually sold it to the Duchess of Portland, from whom the famed vase now takes its name. The famed British sculptor John Flaxman was likely the first to have brought the vase to Wedgwood’s attention. In a letter dated February 5, 1784, he wrote: “I wish you may soon come to town to see William Hamilton’s vase, it is the finest production of Art that has been brought to England and seems to be the very apex of perfection to which you are endeavouring to bring your bisque and jasper…” Indeed, the Portland Vase is a masterpiece of cameo-cutting, with a stunning frieze of opaque white cameo glass over its translucent deep blue form. Its beauty and translucence would inspire Wedgwood to undertake his years-long endeavor to precisely replicate the original in porcelain. Upon closer examination, Wedgwood realized the vase was not made of stone or earthenware, but of cameo glass—a technique so advanced it remains the masterpiece of cameo-cutting. Today, the vase is housed in the British Museum, where it is the second most viewed antiquity, only after the Rosetta Stone. It then took Wedgwood several painstaking years to craft his unparalleled copy of the vase, during which he perfected the jasperware technique that would become his crowning achievement. To this day, the renowned porcelain firm regards the vase as its most momentous triumph, so much so that the vessel’s silhouette is incorporated into the Wedgwood logo. The four years it took Wedgwood to complete his vase were not without tribulations. From the start, Wedgwood encountered numerous problems with his copies, from cracking and blistering to the difficulty of replicating the translucent effects of the original. The first acceptable copy was produced in October 1789 and sent to Wedgwood’s physician and friend Erasmus Darwin, the grandfather of Charles Darwin. Wedgwood presented another copy to Queen Charlotte in May 1790 and afterward organized a private exhibition of the vase at the Portland House in London. The viewing proved so popular that Wedgwood was forced to restrict the show to 1,900 visitors. Much of London wished to see Wedgwood’s greatest major achievement. Perhaps the highest praise of Wedgwood’s copy came from the famed artist Sir Joshua Reynolds, the founder of the British Royal Academy: “I can venture to declare it a correct and faithful imitation, both in regard to the general effect, and the most minute detail of the part.” Over the next few years, Wedgwood's oven records listed 43 First Edition copies of the Portland Vase produced between 1791 and 1796, 11 of which were broken during the firing process. In all, it is believed around 30 First Edition vases were completed, though an unknown number of these were somewhat damaged—one of these imperfect examples is currently held by the Victoria & Albert Museum in London. The perfect examples such as ours have found their way into the most important museum collections in the world. The British Museum (London), Art Institute of Chicago, Birmingham Museum of Art, Museum of Fine Arts (Boston) and the Fitzwilliam Museum (Cambridge, UK), among others, all hold one of these highly coveted vases in their collections. In terms of technical achievement, the First Edition Portland Vases...

Of all the glassworks created in the second half of the 19th century, the most difficult to perfect were those done in cameo. Very few artisans ever achieved success in hand-crafting...

This remarkable art glass Lava style vase is a part of Loetz’s Phaenomen Genre 377, the remarkable collection unveiled at the Paris World Exhibition of 1900. The Crete color variatio...

Of all the glassworks created in the second half of the 19th century, the most difficult to perfect were those done in cameo. Very few artisans ever achieved success in hand-crafting...

Henry Dasson used grey granite from the famed Aswan quarries in Egypt to craft this pair of rare and important urns. Aswan was the location from which ancient Egyptian builders quarried the rare granite used...

This extraordinary glass vessel hails from the illustrious Roman empire, likely from Italy, dating to the mid-1st to 2nd century CE. It is exceptionally rare to find such a large and...

This 18th-century gilt bronze & Egitto Serpentino urn is modeled after the opulent design of one of the last gilders of the Versailles Court, Pierre Gouthière. An identical urn is he...

Designed by René Lalique in 1921, this Ronces pattern vase features a bold array of winding blackberry vines. The vessel highlights the master's love of the striking forms and natura...

The bodies of this exquisite pair of Louis XVI-style cassolettes, along with a complementary clock, are crafted from exceptional specimens of white marble, each measuring almost a fo...

This remarkable acid-etched vase is the work of the famed Art Nouveau master Émile Gallé, one of the most highly regarded names in French glassmaking. The artist's love of nature is ...