Rosenthal - Kunstabteilung Selb - Vase - 167/3 - Porcelain - Rosenthal Rare Art Nouvea

Overview:
An exceptional and highly collectible antique porcelain covered vase (urn) produced by the prestigious German manufacturer Rosenthal in 1910. This exquisite piece comes from the celebrated Kunstabteilung Selb (Art Department in Selb) and perfectly embodies the refined organic aesthetic of the late Art Nouveau (Jugendstil) period.
Form & Rarity:
The vase features the legendary smooth Form 167, which was designed and introduced by the factory precisely in 1910 specifically as a canvas for high-end master painters. This particular item is of the desirable Size 3 (Form 167/3). The dimensions strictly match the official factory archives recorded in standard reference literature (such as Emmy Niecol):
• Height of the body: 26.5 cm
• Total height with original lid: 28.0 cm
Decoration & Technique:
The vase is adorned with a sophisticated, naturalistic underglaze polychrome hand-painting depicting fruitful blackberry branches («Brombeere»). The deep purple tones of the ripe berries beautifully contrast with the muted, elegant grey-green leaves. In accordance with the purest Jugendstil traditions, the piece intentionally completely lacks gold gilt, emphasizing the pristine whiteness of the luxury porcelain and the mastery of the underglaze brushwork.
Markings & Dating:
The underside features the crisp, original underglaze green factory mark «Rosenthal / SELB-BAVARIA»topped with a crown and crossed roses/swords. Crucially, the mark is entirely free of any chronological dots or dashes, which strictly anchors the production date to the absolute first year of introduction — 1910, as verified by the official Rosenthal hallmark catalog. The base also displays the incised/impressed model numbers «167» over «3».
Condition Report:
Museum Quality / Mint Condition. This 116-year-old piece is in flawless, pristine condition, appearing as though it has just left the conveyor belt.
• Complete with its original, authentic lid.
• Free from any chips, cracks, hairlines, or flea bites.
• No restoration, no repairs, and no crazing (craquelure).
• The glaze retains its perfect, brilliant original factory mirror gloss.
A magnificent, investment-grade showroom specimen for serious collectors of early 20th-century European art porcelain and German Jugendstil.