Bohemian Gilt & Ruby Miniature Vase, Mid-20th Century

A finely made miniature Bohemian art glass vase, executed in ruby red glass with a gilt-overlaid upper body and hand-applied floral decoration. The form is compact and elegant, featuring a softly flared mouth, rounded belly, and narrow foot—scaled as a decorative cabinet or vitrine object rather than a utilitarian vessel. The upper section is finished in a warm, reflective gold wash, applied over clear glass, while the lower body transitions into deep ruby red. The vase is embellished with a hand-applied enamel flower and leaf motif, accented with raised gilt scrollwork. The decoration is entirely hand-executed rather than transferred, with visible dimensionality and painterly variation consistent with mid-20th-century Bohemian decorative glass. The interior shows characteristic rotational tooling marks from manufacture. No maker’s mark or paper label is present; however, the materials, decorative vocabulary, and construction align with Bohemian export glass produced circa 1950s–1970s. This piece was clearly intended as a decorative miniature—often collected and displayed alongside other small-format European art glass objects. ⸻ Dimensions & Weight • Height: 3 3/8 inches • Mouth diameter: 1 1/8 inches • Widest point (belly): approx. 2 1/2 inches • Base diameter: 1 inch • Weight: 0.074 pounds ⸻ Condition Very good vintage condition. • No chips, cracks, or structural damage observed • The applied floral motif shows minor loss to one petal and visible age-related discoloration/browning, consistent with enamel aging • Gilt and glass surfaces otherwise remain intact No attempt has been made to clean or alter the decoration. All condition details are visible in close-up photographs and have been left intentionally untouched. ⸻ What it is (and what it’s not) This is an authentic mid-20th-century Bohemian decorative glass miniature. It is not Murano, not contemporary production, and not a modern reproduction. Attribution is made conservatively based on construction, materials, and stylistic comparison rather than a specific maker. ⸻ Attribution & Disclosure Unmarked Bohemian decorative glass of this scale was commonly produced for export without factory or artist signatures. Any regional or period references are offered as informed context, not definitive attribution. ⸻ bohemian art glass miniature glass vase ruby glass vase gilt glass mid century bohemian european decorative glass hand painted glass cabinet display object small art glass vase continental glass collector miniature bohemian export glass enamel decorated glass estate glass vitrine object vintage european glass ornamental glass decorative miniature vase mid century glass decor collector glass object