Northern Bohemia, around 1825-30. Franz Gottstein the Younger (1770–1840), extraordinary vase with lid in perfect condition, masterfully ground on a wheel.

Franz Gottstein the Younger (1770–1840), attributed with plausible certainty or high probability, extraordinary vase with a lid of museum relevance in perfect condition, masterfully wheel-ground with a mythological scene taken from Homer's Odyssey. Ulysses appears before the sorceress Circe, surrounded by sensual handmaidens. In the background, the moored ship; Circe's father, Aeolus, god of the winds with the sack on his shoulders, and her mother, the nymph Perseis, sensually reclining. Putti and cupids invite Ulysses to a banquet while others open a chest containing a treasure (perhaps symbolizing the wealth and luxury of Circe's palace). This work, although unsigned, but clearly attributable to the author and of superior quality to other rare signed works of his (see also the one on our website), can be considered his most beautiful, well-known and extant work to date. Ground in Gutenbrunn (near Vienna), period from 1825 to 1830. 26.5 cm high, 10 cm wide. Work of museum relevance. Visible by appointment. Private negotiation. Circe lives on the island of Aeaea and is the daughter of Aeolus and the nymph Perseis, and sister of Aeëtes (king of Colchis) and Pasiphae (wife of Minos), as well as aunt of Medea. Ulysses, after visiting the land of the Laestrygonians, traveling up the Italian coast, arrives at the island of Aeaea. The island, covered with dense vegetation, seems uninhabited, and Ulysses sends part of his crew, under the guidance of Eurylochus, on reconnaissance. In a valley, the men discover that outside a palace, from which a melodious voice resounds, there are fierce animals. All the men, with the exception of Eurylochus, enter the palace and are well received by the mistress of it, who is none other than the sorceress Circe. The men are invited to participate in a banquet, but as soon as they taste the food, they are transformed into pigs (or it is said that the pigs gave birth to them), lions, dogs, according to their character and nature. Immediately afterwards, Circe pushes them towards the stables and locks them up. Eurylochus quickly returns to the ship and tells Ulysses what happened. The ruler of Ithaca decides to go to the sorceress to try to save his companions. Heading towards the palace, he meets the god Hermes, messenger of the gods, who reveals to him the secret to remain immune to Circe's spells. If he mixes a magical herb called moly into what Circe offers him to drink, he will not undergo any transformation. Franz Gottstein the Younger (1770–1840) was a great glass grinder of German Bohemian origin from the Sudetenland. Originally from Rokytnice nad Jizerou in northern Bohemia, he founded, with imperial concession, an important manufacture in Lower Austria, at Gutenbrunn, about 70 km west of Vienna. He is considered one of the best glass sculptor grinders who ever lived. His original works that have come down to us are extremely rare and mostly kept in important museums (Vienna, Prague, New York). Only rarely does a work appear on the international art market. This vase, although unsigned but evidently by his hand, can be considered the most beautiful existing and published work for this artist, who loved to reproduce scenes from classical mythology and sensual female nudes. Provenance: prestigious Central European private collection. Literature Pasaurek - Philippovitvich, Glaeser der empire und Biedermeierzeit, page 123 Paul von Lichtenberg, Glasgravuren des Biedermeier (pages 207-217) In accordance with the provisions of the New Code of Cultural Heritage, the selling company provides, simultaneously with the sale, a detailed written photographic guarantee of originality and provenance of the works sold. The data with which the works are described and then contained in the written guarantees are expressed determinations resulting from accurate and documented technical/historical/artistic investigations, including expert appraisals. BASIC CONCEPTS Start here to learn about the ancient European glass masterpieces. In short, everything you need to know. Text freely available (private only) for exclusive cultural reasons. Click on the link at the bottom of the page