Lorenz Hutschenreuther Vase – Art Department Selb, c.1920
Antique Porcelain Vase with Floral Hand-Painting
This porcelain vase by Lorenz Hutschenreuther originates from the renowned Art Department in Selb and was produced around 1920. Its lavish hand-painted decoration features a magnificent composition of pink, red, and violet anemones, highlighted with delicate gilded accents. The lid continues the floral design, creating a harmonious and refined overall appearance.
Particularly noteworthy is the typical green base mark: “Lorenz Hutschenreuther AG, Selb, Abteilung für Kunst” – a clear quality hallmark of this exquisite craftsmanship.
Jugendstil Motif in Transition to Art Deco
The anemone motif is characteristic of Jugendstil (Art Nouveau), where naturalistic floral themes were central. While the vase’s luxurious form and presentation already reflect Art Deco influences, the naturalistic flower painting still strongly reflects the aesthetics of late Jugendstil.
This makes the vase a remarkable example of the transition period from Jugendstil to Art Deco in early 20th-century German porcelain art.
About the Manufacturer: Lorenz Hutschenreuther AG, Selb
The Lorenz Hutschenreuther AG, based in Selb, Bavaria, ranks among the most important German porcelain manufacturers. It was founded in 1857 by Lorenz Christian Friedrich Hutschenreuther (1817–1886), son of Carolus Magnus Hutschenreuther, the founder of the C. M. Hutschenreuther factory in Hohenberg.
The Selb porcelain factory began operations in 1859 and used the monogram “L. HR.” from 1870 onward. After Lorenz Hutschenreuther retired in 1877, his sons Viktor and Eugen, along with his son-in-law Hans Pabst, continued the company.
The Prestigious Art Department (founded 1917)
In 1902, the company became the Porzellanfabriken Lorenz Hutschenreuther AG, Selb. In 1917, it established the prestigious “Art Department” to position itself in the luxury and fine arts market. The artistic direction was entrusted to Professor Fritz Klee, who was also head of the Royal School of Arts in Selb.
By 1918, the first art painters were employed. During the 1920s, numerous high-quality unique pieces were created, including decorative vases with historical and Art Deco designs. Until its closure in 1945 due to wartime, the Art Department produced over 2,000 designs by more than 75 artists.
A Collectible of the 1920s
This vase, with its floral Jugendstil anemone decoration and luxurious Art Deco elements, is an authentic testimony to the German porcelain art of the 1920s. Art Flagey presents this vase as a decorative highlight and an exquisite collector's item for lovers of Hutschenreuther porcelain, Jugendstil porcelain, and Art Deco vases.
