Posted 4 years ago
Curious_Ge…
(2 items)
I recently acquired this piece from a collection I came across and cannot find another like it. If any collectors out there can help me identify it’s maker and year it was produced that would be fantastic.
Thank you!
These are, I do believe, two pieces from a circa 1930s Rosenthal set. From which line or collection, though, I have not the slightest idea.
Lovely set, the rabbit pattern is beautiful
Hi, Curious_George. :-)
Love the bunnies.
With regard to the Rosenthal marks on the bottom of the pitcher, the nearest I could find is this one from 1907:
http://www.rosenthalvasecatalog.com/pb/wp_8644c107/images/img835151cb744eaff83.jpeg
http://www.rosenthalvasecatalog.com/pb/wp_8644c107/wp_8644c107.html
As to the "gesetzlich geschützt" marking:
*snip*
The bottom gesetzlich geschützt means that the form or design of the item itself was copyrighted.
*snip*
https://community.ebay.com/t5/Selling-Q-A/Who-or-What-signed-this-and-What-does-it-say/qaq-p/28615496
Indeed, Google Translate renders "gesetzlich geschützt" as "protected by law":
https://translate.google.com/?sl=auto&tl=en&text=gesetzlich%20gesch%C3%BCtzt&op=translate
The fact that there is no marking indicating the COO (Country of Origin) does suggest that the pitcher was made prior to the law requiring that information.
However, that sole "Ward" marking on the bottom of the bowl seems quite curious. FYI, I didn't find an artist by that name who worked for Rosenthal:
https://www.rosenthal.de/en/info/company/the-rosenthal-company/designer-en/
http://www.collectrosenthal.com/designers.html
I think they are porcelain blanks that have been used by an artist called Ward. Might be D. Ward. Or D. A. Ward. Examples of Painting on Porcelain or China Painting.
vetraio50, Very interesting. };-)
The rabbits on both pieces do have a stylistic similarity. I wonder if an artist who had no contractual relationship with Rosenthal might have put the Rosenthal mark on the cream pitcher.
It's not exactly grand theft auto, but it would be a crime if they'd tried to sell the piece as Rosenthal, wouldn't it?
Rosenthal blanks were certainly one of the preferred blanks for China Painters here in Oz and in the US too I think in the early 20th century. It was quite a thing for a middle class lady or gentleman. That is an original Rosenthal mark and would give an approximate date for the items. They both look by the same hand, but I might be wrong there.
vetraio50, Fascinating. :-)
Like the china painting mentioned in vintage novels.
Here are some Rosenthal pieces described as blanks:
*snip*
Rosenthal VERSAILLES Porcelain Cream Pitcher Sugar Bowl w Lid GERMANY Blanks. Condition is "Used".
Blanks were sent to the markets for women to buy and paint. Many pieces you see online are painted by well talented hobbyist.
Bavarian “blanks” for hobbyist painting. They are finished, because they are decorated at home by “cold painting” them.
Sold all over Europe and the Americas.
Keramic Studio magazine presented design motifs for women of leisure to utilize.
*snip*
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Rosenthal-VERSAILLES-Porcelain-Cream-Pitcher-Sugar-Bowl-Lid-GERMANY-Blanks-/233811459365
A hand-painted Rosenthal Versailles cream pitcher:
*snip*
Rosenthal Versailles Handpainted Porcelain Pitcher. This is a lovely handpainted porcelain pitcher in cream with pretty pink and yellow roses with the initials J.E.B.
This lovely handled pitcher has pale green edging along the top and bottom while the ruffled rim is trimmed in gold. This delicate pitcher is about 4 inches tall and about 4 inches wide from handle tip to spout tip.
The bottom bears the identifying mark of the Philip Rosenthal & Company Porcelain Factory.
*snip*
https://www.etsy.com/listing/690449486/rosenthal-versailles-handpainted
An R C Rosenthal Continental Versailles cream pitcher with a portrait from Rembrandt (that part doesn't look cold-painted), and trimmed with gold (that part probably is cold-painted):
*snip*
R C Rosenthal Germany
Continental Versailles
Portrait from Rembrandt
Creamer
*snip*
https://www.ebay.com/itm/303922214001
Just following up a bit. I knew that hand-painting china as a hobby was a 'thing' in the 19th century, but somehow I hadn't thought about Rosenthal providing blanks.
Indeed, why would they not? The wife of the founder herself engaged in hand-painting china:
*snip*
Phillip Rosenthal explained this when he recounted why his namesake porcelain firm chose to work exclusively with artists and designers devoted to creating the original designs of their time. “Throughout history, works of art and purely functional objects retain their cultural and material value only when they reflect the spirit of their age…imitations never achieve this,” Rosenthal proclaimed.
Though Rosenthal China seems on the surface to represent many styles—formal and classic to pop-art and clean minimalism—the firm has insisted from the start on setting trends and breaking with tradition. Maria Rosenthal’s success in hand painting Hutschenreuther china in the 1880s led her and her husband to set up their own factory around 1890, eclipsing the competition’s tired Victorian revival styles by introducing elegant, fresh Art Nouveau porcelaintableware blanks. Moss Rose, Diplomat and other early Rosenthal floral lines seem fancy and traditional now, but only because they were trend-setters whose success compelled much mimicry.
*snip*
http://www.myantiquemall.com/rosenthaldinnerwaresetvintageantiqueporcelain/rosenthaldinnerwaresetvintageantiqueporcelain.html
https://www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/woch/hd_woch.htm
https://www.historymuseum.ca/cmc/exhibitions/hist/cadeau/cachi01e.html
Here's that same Rosenthal back stamp from Wikipedia, which describes it as being of around 1900 origin:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Marque,_signature,_firme_Rosenthal,_vers_1900.JPG
Hello everybody! Thank you very much for your very helpful answers! I wasn’t expecting such a turnout. This amazing set will adorn my mantle for years to come!
Cheers
Curious_George, You're welcome. I'm glad vetraio50 spoke up about the Rosenthal blanks. :-)