There is an unmistakable elegance in the ceramic designs of Jaroslav Ježek, one of the most influential Czech designers of the mid-20th century. Created for the historic Royal Dux manufactory, this 1960s green ceramic vase beautifully captures the sculptural clarity and organic sensitivity that defined Ježek’s work.

Founded in 1853, Royal Dux had long been a centre of Bohemian ceramic craft, but by the 1960s it was undergoing a design renaissance. Artists returned to more abstract, decorative forms, moving away from classical revival styles and embracing modernist experimentation. Ježek, a graduate of the Academy of Arts, Architecture and Design in Prague became a key figure in this transformation. His designs introduced minimalist silhouettes, fluid lines, and restrained glazes that allowed form to take centre stage.

This vase is a perfect example of that philosophy. Its organic, almost creature-like shape unfolds in soft, continuous curves, giving the impression of movement caught in stillness. Many collectors note the subtle fish-like motif in the contours - a playful nod to nature that appears across Ježek’s ceramics and sculptural works. The smooth green glaze enhances the form’s tactile quality, shifting gently in tone as light passes over the surface.

Despite its age, the vase remains in excellent vintage condition, with no chips and only minimal wear from decades of careful use. A very small area of glaze loss on the bottom edge is the only visible sign of time, and it does not detract from the overall beauty or display value of the piece.

Elegant, sculptural, and unmistakably mid-century, this Royal Dux vase stands as a testament to Ježek’s ability to merge functional design with artistic expression. It is both a refined decorative object and a meaningful fragment of Czech ceramic history.

Quantity: 1

Period: 1960’s

Designer: Jaroslav Ježek

Manufacturer: Royal Dux, Czechoslovakia

Dimensions: h 19 cm, dia 7 cm

Materials: Glazed porcelain

Please note delivery cost is not included in the price. Each item's delivery is calculated individually. The cost of delivery of this vase to UK will be £15 and 15 Euro to the EU. Please email us on info@bybarnabas.com if you would like a quotation for delivery outside EU or the US.