Iridescent Portrait - Unknown (no visible manufacturer’s mark)

Name: Iridescent Portrait
 
Type: Iridescent Portrait Vase
 
Year: Circa 1950s–1960s
 
Set: No
 
Mark: Unknown (no visible manufacturer’s mark) - Likely continental European, possibly German or Austrian based on form and finish
 
History: This fan-shaped vase exemplifies mid-20th-century European decorative porcelain, particularly popular in West Germany and Austria during the 1950s–60s. The lustrous, iridescent glaze — often referred to as “mother-of-pearl” or “pearl lustre” — was a hallmark of ceramics aiming for a glamorously reflective, almost ethereal finish. The profile relief of a young woman in neoclassical style mimics the look of Wedgwood's jasperware, framed in ornate gilding that suggests Rococo revival tastes popular in souvenir and decorative wares of the period.
 
 
The heavy mold lines, pressed floral motifs, and plinth-like base all suggest mass production, though the decorative treatment adds a refined, elegant touch intended for drawing room display rather than functional use.
 
 
This type of vase was commonly sold in postwar Europe as a decorative piece, often displayed empty or with dried flowers. It speaks to a postwar appetite for accessible luxury and continental style.
 
Flaws: Age related crazing