Vase
- Designer
- Vlastislav Hofman, Czech, 1884–1964
- Date
- 1914
- Material
- Glazed earthenware
- Classification
- Ceramics
- Collection
- Decorative Arts and Design
- Current Location
- On View, Gallery 133W
- Dimensions
- 12 1/2 x 7 9/16 x 6 13/16 in. (31.8 x 19.2 x 17.3 cm)
- Credit Line
- Funds given by Emily Rauh Pulitzer
- Rights
- Public Domain
- Object Number
- 40:2001
NOTES
The shape and decoration of this vase are based entirely on the triangle shape. Its hand-painted, black zigzag patterns struck against a light background animate the angled planes and accentuate the vase’s diagonal thrust. Created as sculpture, the vase's dynamic form took precedence over function or refinement of execution.
In the early 20th century, an avant-garde group in Prague founded the Artel Cooperative, an association of experimental craft workshops. Vlastislav Hofman, an architect, designer, painter, and occasional costume and set designer, created several ceramic works for Artel, including this imposing vase.
Provenance
Private Collection, Prague, Czech Republic [1]
2000/04/12
Sold at auction, Wiener Kunst Auktion, Palais Kinsky, Vienna, Austria, "Jugendstil," April 12, 2000, lot no. 597 [2]
- 2001
Historical Design, Inc., New York, NY, USA, purchased in Vienna, Austria [3]
2001 -
Saint Louis Art Museum, purchased from Historical Design, Inc. [4]
Notes:
[1] This vase was in a private collection in Prague [faxed letter from Historical Design, May 24, 2001, SLAM document files].
[2] See the auction catalog [Wiener Kunst Auktion, Palais Kinsky, "Jugendstil," Vienna, April 12, 2000, lot no. 597]. This example (40:2001) is one of only two known, and the only black and white version and thus it is presumed that the piece in the auction catalogue is 40:2001 [Historical Design Inc. object information sheet, undated, SLAM document files].
[3] Historical Design, Inc. confirmed that the firm purchased the vase through "a contact in Vienna," [faxed letter from Historical Design, May 24, 2001, SLAM document files; further confirmed during Saint Louis Art Museum curator Cara McCarty's meeting with Historical Design, Inc., March 24, 2003]. Whether the Viennese contact purchased the vase at auction on behalf of Historical Design or subsequently offered it to the firm after independently buying the piece is unknown.
[4] Invoice dated December 15, 2000 [SLAM document files]. Minutes of the Collections Committee of the Board of Trustees, Saint Louis Art Museum, May 24, 2001.
2000/04/12
Sold at auction, Wiener Kunst Auktion, Palais Kinsky, Vienna, Austria, "Jugendstil," April 12, 2000, lot no. 597 [2]
- 2001
Historical Design, Inc., New York, NY, USA, purchased in Vienna, Austria [3]
2001 -
Saint Louis Art Museum, purchased from Historical Design, Inc. [4]
Notes:
[1] This vase was in a private collection in Prague [faxed letter from Historical Design, May 24, 2001, SLAM document files].
[2] See the auction catalog [Wiener Kunst Auktion, Palais Kinsky, "Jugendstil," Vienna, April 12, 2000, lot no. 597]. This example (40:2001) is one of only two known, and the only black and white version and thus it is presumed that the piece in the auction catalogue is 40:2001 [Historical Design Inc. object information sheet, undated, SLAM document files].
[3] Historical Design, Inc. confirmed that the firm purchased the vase through "a contact in Vienna," [faxed letter from Historical Design, May 24, 2001, SLAM document files; further confirmed during Saint Louis Art Museum curator Cara McCarty's meeting with Historical Design, Inc., March 24, 2003]. Whether the Viennese contact purchased the vase at auction on behalf of Historical Design or subsequently offered it to the firm after independently buying the piece is unknown.
[4] Invoice dated December 15, 2000 [SLAM document files]. Minutes of the Collections Committee of the Board of Trustees, Saint Louis Art Museum, May 24, 2001.
We regularly update records, which may be incomplete. If you have additional information, please contact us at provenance@slam.org.