Mottahedeh Tiny Vases
18 January 2022
Description

These are 11 tiny vases (I think!). They feature a hand holding a fluted vase. Each piece is solid white. All have the Mottahedeh, Vista Alegre Portugal maker's marking. I can't find anything about them on the internet. I'm really not sure what they are. Each piece stands approximately 3.25" high and weighs about 1.8 ounces.

Provenance

These were purchased at a high-end estate sale. The estate sale manager did not know exactly what they were or what they would be used for.

Acquired from
Other
For sale
Maybe
Answered within 3 days
By Denizalp D.
Jan 21, 09:50 UTC
Fair Market Value
$200 - $300 USD
Suggested Asking Price $200 USD
What does this mean?

Hello Virginia,

I’m very glad that you chose Mearto for your online appraisal,

Considering the photographs, overall pattern, mark and the dimensions, I concluded that this is a Portuguese made lot of Small Candlesticks made by the famous porcelain producer Vista Alegre. Vista Alegre is considered as the first industrial size porcelain producer of Portugal, the brand was formed in 1824 and they are still producing today. Your lot is very interesting because we do not encounter often with Vista Alegre's small sized candlesticks. The brand actually did not produced many candlesticks throughout their history compared to their other wares like plates or vases. Small sized candle holders were especially produced in Germany by countless brands during the mid to late 20th century extensively, Dresden and Schierholz could be shown as examples. As for your pieces, we can understand their intention primarily from their form of decoration. A Rococo Style torch is held by a Putto's hand. Putto is the name given to small baby or children figures used in decoration, usually with wings and holding bows, arrows, torches. The elegant shape of the hands makes us easily detect this feature.

The mark underneath your pieces was used by the brand between 1971-1980 period. So we have a very precise date of manufacture. Mottahedeh series of the Vista Alegre porcelain was usually decorated by Chinese patterns but obviously they also had exceptional pieces like yours. Likely, these were originally 12 pieces. The larger dinner sets of the company was produced for 12 people, therefore the lighting elements would also correspond to that same number of pieces. It is very hard to find another example of these pieces, I could only spotted one piece with a Chinese decoration from Mottahedeh series. They are not painted, entirely white. Porcelain quality is very high as these pieces were produced by the Vista Alegre. Some pieces have an additional "71" mark underneath them. In very good condition without visible faults.

Hand made by Vista Alegre artists.

Dimensions: 3.25 Inches High Each, 1 5/8" Wide on The Rim, Weighes 1.8 Ounces Each

Condition: In very good condition without visible faults.

Provenance: Purchased from a high-end estate sale.

Shaped as a torch held by a putto's hand.

200-300$ for the lot.

For more info or confirmation you could e-mail the USA branch of the company: [email protected]
For the head quarters in Portugal: [email protected]
And for the Vista Alegre Museum: [email protected]

Please don’t hesitate to reach us again for more online appraisals on your precious items, thank you for choosing Mearto.

Virginia hopkins Jan 21, 19:56 UTC

The candlestick idea may be a good one. I replaced one of the original pictures I sent with a picture of one of the hands holding a candle. A standard taper seems to fit quite well into the opening... it's a secure fit and the candle does not wobble. The pieces are 3.25" high. The actual opening at the top measures 7/8" in diameter. The ruffled edge at the top measures 1 5/8" across. I've looked and there do not seem to be any other examples of these pieces out on the internet. They all have the standard Vista Alegre Mottahedeh marking. Several of the pieces (not all) have the Vista Alegre Mottahedeh marking as well as a tiny number 71. Is there a way to contact this company and ask them what these pieces were for? Might they have been for a special event? I will probably sell them and need a value estimate.

Denizalp d. Jan 22, 01:52 UTC

Dear Virginia,

You can try to contact the company, they are still active in Portugal. I'll attach your appraisal within today and also try to give you a contact e-mail if I can find. Thank you for your patience and the additional information you provided. Have a great day!

Thanks, kind regards.

Virginia hopkins Jan 22, 15:44 UTC

Thanks so much for diligently trying to figure out what these pieces are! I haven't been able to find pictures of any others like them on the internet. I'll be very interested in what you come up with. Thanks in advance for your help... I love it that we have a service like Mearto to help out!!!
Best regards,
Virginia

Denizalp d. Jan 22, 22:52 UTC

Dear Virginia,

You're very welcome! I've attached your appraisal. It is so nice to be appreciated, it was truly my pleasure to evaluate these pieces.

My best and kind regards,

Virginia hopkins Jan 22, 23:49 UTC

Yes!!! You are greatly appreciated. I always learn so much when I have a Mearto appraisal...Thank you again for your time and effort.
Best regards,
Virginia

Denizalp d. Jan 22, 23:55 UTC

You’re very welcome once again, I’m so happy to be able to help you!

Kind regards,

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