Hand painted bowl

Just curious if this piece has any value.  If not, I will use but it just seems like it could be worth more.

I believe the text on the back of your bowl is "Schlegelmilch Germany", then your bowl is most likely a product of the Reinhold Schlegelmilch (RS Germany) porcelain factory, a well-known German manufacturer famous for producing fine hand-painted porcelain from the late 19th century through the early 20th century.

History of Schlegelmilch Germany

• The Schlegelmilch family operated porcelain factories in Germany and specialized in high-quality decorative porcelain, including bowls, plates, and vases.
• Pieces marked "Schlegelmilch Germany" were likely made for export to the United States, as this marking was used for exported goods, particularly between 1900 and 1930.
• The factory was located in Suhl, Thuringia, an area renowned for its porcelain production.

Characteristics of RS Germany Porcelain

• Hand-painted floral patterns: This aligns perfectly with your bowl's delicate flower design and soft gradients.
• Thin, translucent porcelain: Their pieces were often elegant and lightweight.
• Versatile usage: While decorative, such bowls were sometimes used for serving food or dairy-related items like cream or milk.

Current Value

The value of your piece depends on a few factors:

1. Condition: Your bowl appears to be in excellent condition with no chips or cracks, which enhances its value.
2. Design and Rarity: Hand-painted floral pieces by RS Germany are sought after, especially if the design is intricate.
3. Size: Larger, decorative pieces (like bowls) tend to fetch higher prices.

Estimated Market Value

• RS Germany bowls of similar size and design typically sell for $40 to $100 on platforms like Etsy, eBay, or at antique shops.
• If the design is especially rare or the hand-painting exceptionally intricate, it could fetch more, especially among collectors of German porcelain.

Suggestions for Next Steps

1. Verify the Mark: Confirm the "Schlegelmilch Germany" mark matches others from RS Germany by looking at resources like Porcelain Marks & More or other antique identification guides.
2. Display or Sell: If you're interested in selling, list it on platforms like eBay or Etsy with clear photos and a detailed description, emphasizing its hand-painted RS Germany origin.
3. Preservation: Store the bowl carefully in a dry environment to preserve its painted finish and prevent damage.

Your bowl is a beautiful example of early 20th-century craftsmanship and a testament to the artistry of German porcelain. Hope this information finally helps you.

Pieces like this are often what's called "Whiteware", meaning it was originally sold as an undecorated blank to Decorator studios who would then decorated them for resale, in some cases these pieces would be "seconds", pieces with small defects a sold wholesale. Floral examples like this generally date from the mid to late 19th century through to the 1920's. Limoge, France being the largest center of production, several German potteries sold white ware as well. Demand for china like this last peaked during the late 1980's through early 90's and has been in decline since that time, comparable examples often now sell for under $100.00.