AT A GLANCE
• Authentic Royal Dux Bohemia porcelain centerpiece
• Nymph and putti supporting an exuberantly modeled shell
• Impressed model number 10388
• Art Nouveau Revival design introduced circa 1946
• Precise production date of this example is undetermined
• Approximately 19½ inches tall
• Remains of the distinctive applied pink-triangle mark
• Presented as part of The Florida Edit
DESCRIPTION
A centerpiece with all the fantasy, movement, and theatricality for which Royal Dux is celebrated.
This monumental porcelain composition depicts a classically draped nymph and playful putti supporting an exuberantly modeled shell. Aquatic foliage, softly naturalistic coloring, and the figures’ flowing forms place the design firmly within Royal Dux’s celebrated Art Nouveau tradition.
Standing approximately 19½ inches tall, it has the scale and sculptural presence to anchor a dining table, entry console, garden room, generously proportioned mantel, or collected bath.
The shell can be enjoyed purely as sculpture or styled to suit the room: filled with seasonal fruit or flowers, piled with guest towels beside a bath, or used to hold soaps and bath salts in a wonderfully indulgent dressing room.
The underside bears the clearly impressed model number 10388 and the abraded remains of Royal Dux’s characteristic applied pink-triangle factory mark. Because the triangle’s central letter and surrounding text are no longer legible, the precise production period of this particular example cannot be confirmed. Other examples of model 10388 bear an E-centered version of the triangle mark, supporting an early-20th-century production date for at least some versions of the model.
Its shell form, aquatic imagery, softly naturalistic palette, and unapologetic sense of fantasy make it a particularly striking addition to The Florida Edit—coastal without being casual and playful without sacrificing elegance.
DETAILS
Maker: Royal Dux Bohemia
Origin: Bohemia, present-day Czech Republic
Date: Circa 1946 or later; precise production date unknown
Material: Glazed and hand-decorated porcelain
Model: 10388
Style: Art Nouveau Revival
Subject: Nymph and putti supporting a shell
Markings: Impressed model number 10388; partial remains of an applied pink-triangle mark
DIMENSIONS
Approximately 19½ inches high × 16 inches wide × 11 inches deep
Shell interior: approximately 5 inches deep
CONDITION
Excellent vintage display condition with age-appropriate surface wear and variations inherent to hand-decorated porcelain. There are no visible chips, cracks, or other damage to the porcelain.
The underside exhibits substantial abrasion, discoloration, and old residue, likely resulting from years of contact with a former mounting surface, protective covering, or display base. This abrasion has partially removed or obscured the applied pink-triangle factory mark. The impressed model number 10388 remains visible.
The underside wear does not affect the structural integrity or display of the centerpiece. Please examine all photographs closely, as they form an important part of the condition description.
SHIPPING
Due to its size, weight, and exceptionally fragile nature, this centerpiece will be carefully packed for shipping. Shipping will be calculated at checkout. Complimentary local delivery is available within the Tampa area.
