Enormous Straus Ducal Star Shaped Bowl

This gigantic bowl was cut by Straus in their highly-skilled Ducal design. Clear tusks, one of the most difficult motifs to cut, are displayed prominently all over the bowl. The crimped shape, in addition to the size, adds to the rarity.

This bowl features three large wedding-cake hobstars on flaried out portions. Separating each hobstar are vesicas which pair three, clear tusks surrounded by notched prism. The two tusks are connected by two 8-point stars embraced on either end with fans. Clear tusks were one of the hardest motifs of the Brilliant Period to achieve-requiring the naked eye of the cutter to achieve their perfect, icicle-like roundness.  It’s also very neat how the Ducal pattern doesn’t center around a hobstar, but rather converges in the center.

The bowl is a full 13″ wide and 4 1/2″ tall. It’s in perfect condition and wood-wheel polished to a silky brilliance.