Height: 29.2 cm. Weight: 1718 gr. Condition: very good This vase was crafted by Riessner, Stellmacher & Kessel - better known as Amphora Austria - around 1900. Amphora pieces are icons of the Art Nouveau movement, known for their fluid forms and naturalistic motifs. The firm operated in Turn-Teplitz, Bohemia (then part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire). Its hand-modeled and richly glazed ceramics gained global acclaim at World’s Fairs and design exhibitions. This model, no. 2268, features an incised crown mark and “Austria Amphora” stamp, typical for export pieces of that era. The vase shows a hand-painted riverbank scene with ducks and soft blue skies - a tribute to nature’s calm. Each bird is rendered in expressive, brushy detail and outlined in gold - enhancing the composition’s life and light. This level of hand-painting required several firings and expert precision. The painter captured a fleeting moment - two ducks feeding near water - imbuing the piece with gentle narrative charm. Its earthy yet elegant tones reflect the Art Nouveau ideal: art drawn from nature, made for everyday beauty.