GERMANY 1900 Orivit Jugendstil Covered Centerpiece In Gilded Bronze With Crystal

Jugendstil Covered Centerpiece designed by Orivit in Germany.

This is a beautiful and very decorative covered centerpiece created in Germany during the art-nouveau Jugendstil period, back in 1900. The antique centerpiece - dresser box was manufactured by the Orivit company in gilded bronze and is fitted with an oval crystal dish insert and a cover lid with a concealed handle. The design is extremely well made with gorgeous curvilinear pattern characteristics from the period. This centerpiece is very decorative and display wonderful.

Orivit

The company was founded in 1894 as "Rheinische Broncegieserei fur Kleinplastiken" in Koln-Ehrenfeld, Germany. "Orivit" was initially a trade name (registered in 1898) for the company's proprietary metal alloy - its so called "orivit metal" which when polished would look like silver. This was achieved by removing lead, using a higher percentage of antimony and adding a small amount of silver. In 1900 the company changed its name to "Orivit A.G. fur Kunsthandwerkliche Metallwarenfabrikation" - opening a new factory in 1902 with a revolutionary new hydraulic press enabling them to produce more intricate designs in greater numbers. Their leading designs of the period won them recognition at the Paris (1900) and St Louis (1904) World Exhibitions - however by 1905 the company was in financial problems and was acquired by WMF.

Jugendstil - Art Nouveau - Liberty

This is the German term for Art Nouveau. It emerged in Germany around the mid-1890s and was a prominent artistic style, particularly in the decorative arts, continuing through the first decade of the 20th century. The name "Jugendstil" ("Youth Style") comes from the Munich magazine Die Jugend, which featured Art Nouveau designs. Jugendstil, like Art Nouveau, was characterized by its rejection of stiff academic painting in favor of florid, sinuous designs and a focus on natural forms. It embraced a "total art" philosophy, encompassing architecture, graphic art, interior design, and various decorative arts like jewelry, furniture, and textiles. In Germany, Jugendstil artists, inspired by nature and mythology, created a unique and often "psychedelic" style. They also explored the integration of art and industry, aiming to produce functional and aesthetically pleasing objects for everyday life. The Darmstadt Artists' Colony and the Deutscher Werkbund were important platforms for Jugendstil artists. 

Country: Germany

Period: Jugendstil, 1900.

Weight: About 3.5 Pounds (1.58 Kg.).

Measurements: 267 mm by 303 mm by 152 mm (10.5 x 8 x 6 Inches).

Hallmarks: Stamped with the maker's mark, the four-digits model numbers and signed as follows, "ORIVIT 2583 GERMANY U".

Condition: The overall condition of this Orivit centerpiece is excellent. Besides the little normal wear, there is no damage and all parts are secured in the settings. This piece has been carefully inspected to guarantee the condition and authenticity.

INVENTORY REF: D051825EEAF/.1178