Antique Art Nouveau H. Decugis Pair Miniature Vases Toothpick Holders Constantinople c1900

A fascinating matching pair of antique Art Nouveau miniature table vases or toothpick holders, dating to approximately c.1900–1910 and bearing the H. DECUGIS retailer’s mark.

Henri Hippolyte Décugis was a prestigious luxury-goods retailer based on the Grande Rue de Péra in Constantinople, now Istanbul, supplying high-quality European decorative wares during the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

The pair are beautifully designed in the flowing Art Nouveau / Jugendstil manner, with sinuous raised leaves sweeping upwards from the spreading bases to sculptural flowers incorporated into the irregular scalloped rims.

Their tiny scale is particularly charming. Pieces of this size from the period could function as miniature table vases or toothpick holders.

Both pieces carry impressed markings around the base including H. DECUGIS, together with additional small factory/plating marks and a pictorial device. The underlying manufacturer has not been conclusively identified, so no specific maker attribution is being made.

Details:

• Matching pair
• H. DECUGIS marked
• Art Nouveau / Jugendstil design
• Circa 1900–1910
• Silver-plated metal
• Retailed in Constantinople
• Approximately 6 cm tall
• Approximately 3.5 cm diameter
• Sold as the pair

The pieces retain an attractive aged surface with darkening to the recessed decoration, creating wonderful definition around the flowers and sweeping foliage. There is age-related surface wear, tarnishing, scratching and areas of plating wear consistent with pieces approximately 120 years old. Please study the photographs carefully as they form an important part of the condition description.

An unusually decorative little pair with an intriguing connection to turn-of-the-century Constantinople and the celebrated H. Décugis luxury emporium.