Price: Price on request
A museum‑level Austrian ceramic rarity with exceptional provenance, this three‑piece asparagus service by Julius Dessler, dating to around 1900, offers the kind of completeness and authenticity that is almost never encountered on the market. Marked with the impressed JBD stamp, the model number 4637, and “Austria”, it represents the refined craftsmanship and elegant table culture of the late Austro‑Hungarian Empire.
The set consists of:
- A large serving platter: 6.5 cm x 32 cm x 29 cm
- A fitted drainer insert: 7.5 cm x 23 cm x 16 cm
- A small butter or sauce dish: 7.5 cm x 13 cm x 8 cm
Together, these pieces form a sculptural and highly specialised service created for presenting asparagus—one of the most prized seasonal delicacies of Central Europe. The softly modelled contours, harmonious glazing, and balanced proportions reflect the transition from historicist Viennese ceramics to the more fluid, organic sensibilities of early Art Nouveau.
Complete three‑piece asparagus sets by Julius Dessler are virtually unobtainable today. Most surviving examples appear as single components, making the presence of all three original pieces extraordinarily rare. A comparable example is held in the collection of Museum Kurhaus Kleve, underscoring the cultural and artistic significance of this model.
The ensemble survives in remarkable antique condition. The glaze remains luminous, the modelling crisp, and the markings clear. The small butter dish shows a minor hairline, a typical age‑related flaw that does not diminish the rarity or display value of the set. The overall presentation is elegant, coherent, and highly collectible.
More than a functional service, this set is a testament to the refined dining rituals of fin‑de‑siècle Austria, where specialised tableware expressed both status and aesthetic sophistication. For collectors of European ceramics, Art Nouveau table culture, or museum‑quality decorative arts, this Julius Dessler asparagus service represents an exceptional and nearly impossible‑to‑find acquisition.
Dimensions:
Height: 13 cm
Width: 32 cm
Depth: 29 cm
Ref. 26-0004