Hans Christiansen (1866-1948), a Pair of Mettlach Art Nouveau stoneware vases, "Die Nacht" (The Night) and "Der Tag" (The Day) c.1898, Impressed Mettlach VB (Villeroy & Boch) numbered 2424 and 2425 respectivelyEach incised and coloured, one depicting an Art Nouveau maiden with dark brown hair and poppies and representing 'Night', the other a maiden with light brown hair and irises and representing 'Day', (small restoration to ‘Day’ vase) 25 cm high (2)Literature: Margret Zimmermann-Degen, Hans Christiansen, Ko?nigstein im Taunus : Langewiesche, 1985, p.198 (both referenced and with the date of 1898 and 2425 'Day' illustrated)

Night: A few small marks and light natural wear in keeping with age.Day: Some small spots of restoration to vase on an iris near the rim above and to the left of her head, with a short hairline on the iris and a fine hairline that extends down to about level with top of her head, the later is very hard to see. A small spot of some form of restoration has been picked up by a UV light on the rim and there is shiny mark to the inside, perhaps some form of stabiliser/sealant that corresponds with the restoration on the Iris, this mark can be seen on the inside and looks like someone has left a small piece of Sellotape there. Two firing cracks to the sides and a tiny one on the base to the interior - but these are not damage as these occurred in the firing and are only visible on the inside. A few small marks and light natural wear to base. (Please ask department for photographs.)