Imperial Amphora Secession Style Vase, 1900

• Circa - A Latin term meaning 'about', often used in the antique trade to give an approximate date for the piece, usually considered to be five years on either side of the circa year. Thus, circa 1900 means the piece was made about 1900, probably between 1895 and 1905. The expression is sometimes abbreviated to c.1900.
• Gilding - Gilding is a method of ornamentation whereby a thin sheet of gold metal is applied to items made of wood, leather, ceramics, glass and silver for decorative purposes.
  
  For furniture including mirrors, the sheet of gold is usually applied over a coating of gesso. Gesso is a mixture of plaster of Paris and gypsum mixed with water and then applied to the carved wooden frames of mirrors and picture frames as a base for applying the gold leaf. After numerous coats of gesso have been applied, allowed to dry and then sanded a coat of "bole", a usually red coloured mixture of clay and glue is brushed on and allowed to dry, after which the gold leaf is applied. Over time parts of the gilding will rub off so the base colour can be seen. In water gilding, this was generally a blue colour, while in oil gilding, the under layer was often yellow. In Victorian times, gilders frequently used red as a pigment beneath the gold leaf.
  
  Metal was often gilded by a process known as fire gilding. Gold mixed with mercury was applied and heated, causing the mercury to evaporate, the long-term effect of which was to kill or disable the craftsman or woman from mercury poisoning. The pursuit of beauty has claimed many victims, not the least of which were the artists who made those pieces so highly sought after today.
• Hammered - A hammered finish on metal wares is achieved by striking the surface of the metal with a hammer to create a series of small, uniform indentations. The indentations can be made in a variety of patterns and depths. The resulting surface texture can vary from a subtle, almost imperceptible texture to a highly textured surface with a strong, pronounced pattern.
  
  The hammered finish adds texture and visual interest to metal objects such as bowls, vases, and other decorative items. It can also be used to add grip or reduce glare on tools, weapons, and other functional metal objects.
  
  A hammered finish can be applied to a range of metals, including copper, brass, silver, and gold.
• Grapevine Motif - The grapevine motif is a decorative design that features grapevines, leaves, and grapes and is commonly used in various forms of art and decoration, including jewellery, textiles, pottery, and architecture.
  
  In jewellery, the grapevine motif is often used to create decorative elements such as pins, brooches, necklaces, and bracelets. The design can be executed in a variety of materials, including precious metals such as gold and silver, and can be embellished with gems or enamel.
  
  The grapevine motif is a popular symbol in many cultures, representing abundance, prosperity, and fertility. In ancient times, grapevines were associated with Dionysus, the Greek god of wine and celebration, and were used to decorate wine vessels, temples, and other sacred objects.
  
  In addition to its cultural significance, the grapevine motif is also appreciated for its aesthetic appeal. The intertwining branches and clusters of grapes create a graceful, flowing design that is both beautiful and versatile. Whether used in jewellery, textiles, or other forms of decorative arts, the grapevine motif continues to be a popular and enduring symbol of abundance and prosperity.
• Imperial Amphora - Imperial Amphora was a brand of ceramics that was produced by the Amphora Pottery Company, which was a Czechoslovakian company that was active in the early 20th century. The Amphora Pottery Company was founded in the town of Turn-Teplitz (now called Teplice), which was a centre of the Czechoslovakian ceramics industry at the time. Imperial Amphora ceramics were known for their high quality and attention to detail, and were highly prized by collectors. The company produced a wide range of ceramic products, including vases, figurines, and decorative objects. Many of the company's products were made in the Art Nouveau style, which was popular in the early 20th century, and were decorated with intricate, stylized designs. The Amphora Pottery Company was nationalized by the Czech government in the 1940s and was eventually absorbed into a larger state-owned ceramics company.

This item has been included into following indexes:

• Amphora porcelain (Europe) - vases, ewers and urns 131