A wonderful and substantial antique Imperial Amphora figural group by Riessner, Stellmacher & Kessel (RStK), dating from the early years of the 20th century.
Measuring approximately 30 cm long, 25 cm tall and 17 cm wide, this is an impressive display piece depicting a rural scene of a handler with two saddled horses drinking at a stone water trough.
The modelling is particularly attractive, with considerable detail to the horses, their saddles and tack, the handler's clothing and the textured ground beneath them.
The restrained palette of ivory, pale green, soft blue, grey and warm brown tones gives the group the characteristic appearance of Continental Art Nouveau / Jugendstil ceramics from this period.
The underside carries an excellent collection of original impressed factory markings, including:
These marks identify the piece with the celebrated Riessner, Stellmacher & Kessel / Imperial Amphora works at Turn-Teplitz, one of the important centres of Bohemian decorative ceramic production around the turn of the 20th century.
The model number 8253 is clearly visible and photographed for reference.
This is a genuine antique piece now approximately 120+ years old, and it does have evidence of its long history.
There has been historic repair/restoration and recladding/reconstruction to the water trough area. This is particularly apparent when the piece is viewed from the rear and has been deliberately photographed so prospective buyers can assess it properly.
There is also general age-related wear, surface marking and evidence of long-term storage.
The figurine was discovered stored away during a recent house-sale clearance and appears to have spent many years in a dusty environment.
We have carefully inspected the group and have not identified any other significant damage or repairs, but because this is a large, intricate antique ceramic with numerous projecting details, buyers should study all photographs carefully.
The important main display side remains extremely attractive, with the two horses and handler presenting particularly well.
It has not been aggressively cleaned or restored by us.
This is quite different from the many later mass-produced horse ornaments encountered today.
Its combination of large size, early Imperial Amphora manufacture, clearly identifiable factory marks, model number 8253 and appealing equestrian subject makes it an interesting piece both for display and for the specialist collector.
Despite the historic trough restoration, it retains considerable presence and would make a striking addition to a collection of Amphora, Turn-Teplitz, Austrian/Bohemian ceramics, Art Nouveau pottery or equestrian antiques.
The Amphora works at Turn-Teplitz in Bohemia became internationally recognised for its highly decorative ceramics around the turn of the 20th century.
The firm of Riessner, Stellmacher & Kessel was established in 1892 and produced ceramics that are now widely collected under the Amphora name.
Turn-Teplitz was then part of the Austro-Hungarian sphere and is today Trnovany, part of Teplice in the Czech Republic, which explains why pieces of this period can be variously described as Austrian, Bohemian or Czech depending upon whether the description refers to their historical or modern geography.
The substantial impressed marks underneath this example are therefore an important part of the piece and have been photographed clearly rather than hidden from view.
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