Salamander Vase

Galileo Chini was a prominent figure of the Art nouveau scene in Italy at the turn of the century. His work as a ceramist is inspired by early tin-glazed earthenware and the work of oriental potters. The combination of such sources of inspiration made him create unconventional vases with similar earth tones and winding designs painted on their outsides. The Salamander vase, despite its traditional shape, remains extremely original. The combination of realistic depictions of twisting salamanders and abstract, sinuous lines painted in dark blue creates an interesting mixture of naturalism and abstraction.