Daum Nancy – Tall Bryones / Bryonia dioica vase with applied berries 1902 - 1907

Daum Nancy

Glass
54 cm, ø 18 cm
ConditionNear mint
Price on request

Antiques Emporium

• About the artwork
  This impressive Daum Nancy Bryones vase, crafted in the early years of the 20th century, stands at an extraordinary height of 54.5 cm and showcases the detailed beauty of the plant Bryonia dioica, also known as Bryony. This plant, commonly referred to as red bryony, is a climbing plant from the cucumber family, recognized for its deeply lobed leaves and striking red berries. Bryonia dioica is often found as a native climber in Europe and is a characteristic feature of rural landscapes.
  
  The design for this vase was created by Henri Bergé, a talented designer who played a prominent role in the Art Nouveau movement from the late 19th century, particularly through his work for Daum Nancy. Bergé, renowned for his botanical precision and artistic interpretations of nature, developed iconic designs that placed plants and flowers at the forefront. His creations were both technically advanced and aesthetically groundbreaking, making him an influential figure in the world of glass and decorative arts.
  
  The design drawing for this décor, made in pen and watercolor, is preserved in the archives of the Musée des Beaux-Arts in Nancy and is signed by Henri Bergé. This sketch highlights the meticulous and detailed approach Bergé took to his designs, capturing the expressive qualities of Bryonia dioica in a sublime manner.
  
  The vase itself is adorned with applied red glass ornaments representing the berries of the bryony, creating a striking and colorful contrast with the subtle green of the leaves. These decorative details highlight the delicate balance between form and color that characterizes Daum’s glass artistry from this period, enhancing the natural appearance of the piece. This vase, with its botanical decoration and impressive size, is a refined example of the collaboration between craftsmanship and artistic vision within the Art Nouveau movement.
• About the artist

  Daum Nancy is one of the most influential and refined glass houses in European art history. The brand was founded in Nancy in 1878 by Jean Daum, a former notary who saw the potential in the emerging glass art of the Alsace-Lorraine region. What began as a modest glassworks grew—under the leadership of his sons, Auguste and Antonin Daum—into the beating heart of French Art Nouveau.

  In contrast to industrial mass production, Daum Nancy always opted for an almost poetic approach to glass. The brothers experimented obsessively with texture, color gradations, and the play of light through multiple layers of glass. They became famous for their multi-layered cameo glass, in which floral motifs, dragonflies, landscapes, and seasons seem to grow within the glass. Each piece is not an object, but a sculpture: organic, dreamlike, and deeply intertwined with nature.

  Daum collaborated intensively with artists from the École de Nancy, including Émile Gallé, Henri Bergé, and Jacques Grüber. This cross-pollination between craft and art resulted in a revolutionary new kind of glass art: sensual, technically advanced, and incredibly delicate. Around 1900, Daum won international awards and became one of the most sought-after names in luxury and decorative arts.

  To this day, Daum Nancy remains true to its origins: entirely handcrafted crystal, often using the same pate-de-verre technique rediscovered by the factory in the early 20th century. The brand is synonymous with French elegance, craftsmanship, and a rare continuity of artistic identity.

Are you interested in buying this artwork?