Daum Nancy Art Nouveau Opalescent Glass Bowl with Honeysuckle, circa 1900

Description

An exceptional French Art Nouveau glass bowl by the celebrated Daum Nancy manufactory, circa 1900, distinguished by its refined floral decoration, delicate blue opalescence and harmonious elongated oval form.

The substantial bowl is made of softly opalescent glass in a pale blue-lavender tone. Its broad, gently rounded body rises from a low oval foot to a wide opening, creating a graceful, balanced silhouette. The subtly textured, satin-finished exterior contrasts beautifully with the more translucent interior, producing delicate variations of colour and light.

The exterior is decorated with an elegant naturalistic composition of flowering branches, apparently representing honeysuckle (chèvrefeuille). The blossoms are rendered in soft lilac, mauve and greyish-white tones, with finely gilded stamens and delicate outlines. Slender stems and carefully modelled leaves extend around the circumference, giving the decoration a fluid, continuous rhythm.

The floral motifs appear in varying degrees of relief, achieved through carefully controlled surface treatment and engraving, complemented by polychrome enamel and gilded details.

Particularly attractive is the subtle contrast between the cool blue opalescent ground, the muted floral colours and the warm gold highlights. This restrained palette produces an exceptionally sophisticated effect, characteristic of the finest French Art Nouveau glass.

The upper edge retains traces of gilded decoration. The interior also reveals the floral design through the translucent glass, creating an additional impression of depth.

The bowl is signed Daum Nancy with the Cross of Lorraine.

Historical Background:

The Daum glassworks was established in Nancy in 1878, when Jean Daum acquired an existing glass factory. His sons Auguste Daum (1853–1909) and Antonin Daum (1864–1930) subsequently transformed the enterprise into one of the most celebrated artistic glass manufactories in France.

Around 1891, Antonin Daum established an artistic department devoted to the development of innovative forms and decorative techniques. The company became an important representative of the École de Nancy, the artistic movement that helped establish Nancy as a major centre of European Art Nouveau.

The manufactory achieved international recognition at the Paris Universal Exhibition of 1900, where it received a Grand Prix. Daum’s artistic production was distinguished by the sophisticated use of coloured and opalescent glass, acid etching, engraving, enamelling and gilding.

Museum Collections:

The importance of Daum’s artistic production is reflected in major French museum collections.

The Musée des Beaux-Arts de Nancy maintains an extensive reference collection of Daum glass, covering the manufactory’s production from its foundation in 1878 to the present day.

The Musée de l’École de Nancy also preserves an important collection of Daum Art Nouveau glass, including botanical and floral compositions demonstrating the company’s technical and artistic achievements.

The present bowl, with its refined opalescent glass, elaborate floral decoration, substantial dimensions and signed manufacture, is a particularly attractive example of the artistic glass associated with the École de Nancy.

Its quality of execution and decorative sophistication make it a museum-quality collector’s piece.

Maker: Daum Nancy
Origin: Nancy, France
Period: Circa 1900
Style: Art Nouveau / École de Nancy
Material: Opalescent glass, etched and enamelled floral decoration, gilding
Decoration: Flowering honeysuckle, attributed
Signature: Daum Nancy with the Cross of Lorraine

Dimensions:
Height: 9 cm
Length: 31 cm
Width: 21 cm

Weight:
2.21 kg

Condition:
Age-related surface wear and some wear to the gilding are visible. Overall condition is shown in the photographs.