Amphora
was produced between 1894 and 1904 in the
Turn-Teplitz region of Bohemia during the Art Nouveau era. These
ceramic wares are also referred to by dealers and collectors
as “Teplitz”.There were many
companies in
the Turn-Teplitz region manufacturing ceramic wares during the Amphora movement. Riessner, Stellmacher & Kessel (RStK) and Wahliss were two of the main
companies of this style.
RStK wares were introduced in the United States in 1893 at the Chicago World’s
Fair where they were given the “best in show” award. Their display at
the St. Louis World’s Fair in 1904 also earned high accolades bolstering
their reputation as pottery masters. The departure of Paul Dachsel in 1903 and Eduard Stellmacher in 1904 marked the end of Amphora’s golden age.
Amphora was sold in the United
States by finer stores including Louis Comfort Tiffany of New
York, who appreciated the innovative, hand crafted designs, vibrant
colours, and unique glazes used by the Amphora manufacturers from
Turn-Teplitz, Bohemia. The Turn-Teplitz region was not far from Dresden, Germany. The porcelain manufactories
found advantages in the Bohemian region because local riverbeds provided
an abundant supply of kaolin, an essential ingredient of porcelain. The
rivers themselves were sources of energy, and the nearby railroads made
it easier to quickly sell and export ceramics across Europe.