The Heilbrunn Timeline of Art History   The Metropolitan Museum of Art
World MapsTimelines / RegionsThematic EssaysWorks of ArtIndex  
Vase, ca. 1900–1903
Designed by Nils Emil Lundström (Swedish, 1865–1960); Manufacturer: Rörstrand (Lidköping)
Hard-paste porcelain; H. 13 7/8 in. (35.2 cm)
Purchase, Friends of European Sculpture and Decorative Arts Gifts, 1994 (1994.447)

The Swedish factory of Rörstrand produced some of the most beautiful of all European porcelains executed in the Art Nouveau style. The palette is frequently delicate and subtle, and the commonly used pale greens, pinks, and grays create a cool yet often sensuous appearance. The factory excelled in relief work, and the finely modeled calla lilies on this vase are typical of Rörstrand's production at this time. In the best of the factory's work in the Art Nouveau style, the organic forms of the flowers are completely integrated into that of the vessel, as seen in this example. The Rörstrand designers of this period created forms that were simultaneously highly stylized and naturalistic, successfully embodying one of Art Nouveau's basic design tenets.


Open full-size image




  • Vase, ca. 1900–1903
    Designed by Nils Emil Lundström (Swedish, 1865–1960); Manufacturer: Rörstrand (Lidköping)
    Hard-paste porcelain; H. 13 7/8 in. (35.2 cm)
    Purchase, Friends of European Sculpture and Decorative Arts Gifts, 1994 (1994.447)