Sunday, September 14, 2008
So many of what I call “the pretties” are from the German porcelain factories of the late 1800s. The Europeans tried to copy the fine porcelain that the traders brought back from their trips to China. A German chemist discovered the secret of making hard-paste porcelain in the early 1700’s, and it gave birth to a porcelain factory in Meissen in 1710, sometimes called Dresden. For nearly a century, it was the “gold” standard for pottery.
Sadly, political disorder in Germany and competition from Sevres porcelain drove the Meissen factory into decline during the late 1700's. It continued to operate but did not make wares of the same artistic quality. Studying the history of artifacts, it becomes evident how much wars and political strife destroy…lives being the worst…but so much culture is also lost.
In the German lines, RS Prussia is a common mark along with ES Germany and RS Germany. One of the most popular was the Schlegelmilch Procelain (say that fast!) Reinhold Schlegelmilch produced R.S. Prussia porcelain at his factory in the town that is now Suhl, Germany from the late 1800s through the beginning of World War. That area was known as Prussia.
R.S. Germany was manufactured in the German province of Thuringia. Schegelmilch also opened a factory in Tilowitz in Silesia (aren’t these great names?).
R.S. Poland is the mark used after WWII for a few years.
Not all the hand painted items were done at the factory. Blanks were shipped out for “crafters” to try their skill at painting on porcelain.
Sadly, there are reproductions. The porcelain is heavier, the pieces have decals instead of hand painted designs, and the wreath marks omit the Prussia word. What is so amazing are the pieces of the past attached to some of the pretties...yes, they are beautiful...but you can imagine how proud someone was of the set to mark it with this label.
The most valuable pieces of R.S. Prussia feature décor other than florals such as portraits, animals, classical themes and landscapes. Unusual objects and mold shapes are also prized by collectors. The pieces which command the higher prices are elaborately decorated and gilded. The lobster dish shown above and below here were designed simply as showpieces. They used to be rather expensive, but they have some down in price. I just find them intriguing...always beautifully crafted. Simple painted florals have values of $10-$20 so you can find pretties for pennies (well, several rolls of them!).
Posted by Susan at 10:06 AM