Bohemian Art Nouveau Pitcher, Likely Julius Dressler. Elegant spout, multi-part handle with gold gilt throughout. Marked "Ag" on base. 

Size: 5 1/4 x 5 1/4 x 10 1/2 in. 

#2413 . 

Julius Dressler was a noted Bohemian ceramics manufacturing company that operated from the late 19th century until the end of World War II. Founded by Julius Dressler in the 1880s in Biela, part of Tetschen-Bodenbach in Northern Bohemia, the company produced high-quality decorative faience, maiolica, and porcelain ware. Dressler gained international renown specifically for the ceramics it produced in the early 1900s in the Art Nouveau style, also known as “Jugendstil” or “Secessionist” ware. Around 1920 the company became part of EPIAG, a consortium of like-minded pottery makers established to promote Bohemian ceramics after World War I, and which was crucial to keeping many of the companies functioning as the turmoil in Europe grew over the next two decades. Little is known of the company or its founder due to many records being destroyed during World War II, and the company closed near the end of the war, either in 1944 or 1945. 

The lack of markings on this piece suggests that it may have been from a very early or very late period of the company, but the “Ag” may be the initials of the artisan who crafted it, a symbol of the EPIAG consortium, or perhaps a clever “hidden” signature, as “Ag” is the periodic symbol for Silver on the Table of Elements.

Slight rubbing throughout.