Preliminary identification
Photo reference
4 uploaded photos
Overview
This is a beautifully hand-painted porcelain cabinet vase featuring vibrant nasturtium flowers winding across a soft cream ground. It is framed by elegant, gilded scroll handles and relief-molded rococo cartouches that capture the transition from historic revival styles to early Art Nouveau.
Story
Created in Thuringia around 1900, this vase was designed specifically for the high-end American export market. Its hand-painted nasturtiums brought the wild, untamed beauty of a summer garden straight into the formal Victorian parlor.
Maker / Origin
The 'RW' mark inside a diamond topped by a crown belongs to the Rudolstadt Works, established by the prominent New York importing firm L. Straus & Söhne. By owning the European factories directly, they could manufacture exquisite, hand-decorated porcelain in Germany and ship it straight to their luxury showrooms in Manhattan.
Condition & Value
The vase appears to be in good antique condition with no major visible chips or cracks. There is minor, expected wear to the gold gilt on the handles and rim, and some adhesive residue on the underside of the base. Excellent condition with intact gilding commands the top end of the range.
Full Research
Sold comps, value drivers, and venue guidance pulled from recent auction results.
Build on this identification
Layer in sold comps, value drivers, and venue guidance.
Comparable demand stays strongest where maker, originality, and venue confidence line up. Broader examples still trade, but the range tightens quickly when provenance, condition, or selling lane fit is missing.
Best Venue
Specialty auction or a focused dealer with buyers already in this lane.
Signed example with light edge wear and original frame.
Comparable format with stronger provenance and cleaner surface.
Smaller related piece with visible craquelure and trimmed margins.
Period match with softer condition and weaker subject matter.
Close market lane comp with similar material and presentation.