Rare wheel carved ''Spider vase'' by Daum Nancy 1905

Product information:
Museum-worthy Daum Nancy antique vase, an extraordinary Art Nouveau glasswork by Daum Nancy, created in the early 20th century. A rare collector’s piece that showcases the highest level of Daum craftsmanship through wheel carving, layered colour powders, and hot-applied glass elements. This is a true Belle Époque masterpiece, executed at the peak of Daum’s technical and artistic innovation.

This exceptional vase is built around a highly detailed and expressive natural composition, dominated by a striking and unusually large spider relief. A rare and bold motif within Daum’s oeuvre. The spider spans across the surface with remarkable presence, accompanied by a finely detailed snail and a fly integrated into the web structure.

This evocative choice draws direct inspiration from the poetic line referenced in Noël Daum’s seminal work: "I like the spider and I like the nettle, because they are unloved and because no-one looks on them with sympathy..." A verse celebrating the beauty of the misunderstood and the often-ignored.

Surrounding the central composition are wheel-carved leaves and delicately applied glass berries, layered and fused with exceptional precision. The surface is created through multiple advanced techniques, including carving into the glass, applying powdered pigments, and adding hot glass details while still molten. This combination results in a highly sculptural and richly textured surface with deep visual complexity and atmospheric depth.

The design reflects Daum’s poetic approach to nature, where symbolism and craftsmanship merge into a unified artistic vision. Every detail contributes to a sense of movement and storytelling, transforming the vase into more than an object it becomes a narrative sculpture in glass.

A rare and highly expressive Art Nouveau work, this vase stands as a museum-level example of Daum’s most ambitious glassmaking techniques.

Product details:
Maker/designer: Daum Nancy
Production period: circa 1905–1914
Literature / proof: The piece is signed Daum Nancy with Cross of Lorraine. Wheel-engraved signature period 1905–1914.
Bloch-Dermant 1974, Janine Bloch-Dermant, L’art du verre en France 1860–1914, Lausanne/Paris 1974, p.153.
Bacri 1992, Clotilde Bacri, Daum, Milan 1992, p.126 (spider décor).
Kunstgewerbemuseum Berlin, Glas der Moderne 1880–1930, catalogue, Berlin 1994, pp.116–117.
Similar Daum spider vase sold at Sotheby’s London, 27 September 2007, Lot 411, £38,900 (excluding buyer’s premium).
Spider quote: Noël Daum, Daum, Mastery of Glass, Lausanne 1985, p.56.

Product dimensions / condition:
Height: 14.97 in (38 cm)
Diameter: 5.12 in (13 cm)
Condition: This vase remains in excellent antique condition with no visible damage. The glass is beautifully preserved, and all carved, applied, and layered decorative elements remain sharp and intact. A rare and important example of highly complex Daum craftsmanship.

Shipping:
This item includes free worldwide shipping from Amsterdam by Gallery Wery. The vase will be securely packed in a custom-made wooden crate and shipped with full tracking and insurance. Delivery takes approximately 7–14 days depending on destination.