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Blue Plate stamp

Profile picture for user aretort@hotmail.com
By [email protected], 19 May, 2025
Description

Please, the plate stamp is hard to read.  Are you gifted with much better vision than mine?   Is it porcelain?

 

Thank you for your assistance.

Category
Ceramics and Porcelains
Condition
Good
For Sale?
No
Photos
Profile picture for user NaidaTheCollector

NaidaTheCollector

7 hours 47 min ago

Antique Porcelain Dessert Or Bread Plate

Thank you for sharing these detailed images of your plate. Based on the design, visible markings, and condition, here is a preliminary analysis:

Item Overview

Object: Antique porcelain dessert or bread plate
Decoration: Hand-painted floral spray with violets and daisies; cobalt blue border; gold filigree accents
Size: Approximately 6.5 inches in diameter
Condition: Good antique condition with visible crazing (fine cracking in the glaze) due to age

Stamp Analysis

The backstamp is faded, but the shape and style are consistent with German or Austrian porcelain, likely from the late 19th to early 20th century (circa 1880–1920).

From the outline of the mark and crown motif, this plate likely originates from one of the following makers:

  • Zeh, Scherzer & Co. (ZS&C) – Bavaria, Germany
  • P.T. Bavaria Tirschenreuth
  • Uno Favorite Bavaria (decorated in the U.S. on imported German blanks)
  • Or possibly a C.T. (Carl Tielsch) mark from Silesia (then Germany, now Poland)

A better view of the entire stamp (especially the bottom wording) would help with a precise ID.

Material

The visible translucency and surface crazing suggest the plate is porcelain, not earthenware. This is confirmed by the fine and even cracking (crazing), which is typical in older glazed porcelain when exposed to temperature or moisture changes over decades.

Estimated Value

If unmarked or partially illegible but authentic and in fair condition:

  • Estimated retail value: $15–$40 USD
  • If part of a set or with a clearer maker’s mark: $50–$80+
  • Collectors prize cobalt/gold floral combinations, and the piece’s age adds to its charm.

Recommendation

  • Professional Appraisal: Recommended if you're considering insuring, selling, or cataloging a larger set.
  • Preservation Tip: Avoid dishwasher use; hand-wash gently, and avoid extreme temperature changes to reduce further crazing.
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Profile picture for user NaidaTheCollector

NaidaTheCollector

7 hours 38 min ago

In reply to Antique Porcelain Dessert Or Bread Plate by NaidaTheCollector

How to Verify the Mark at…

How to Verify the Mark at Home:

1. Using a Loupe (Magnifying Glass)

  • Magnification: Use a 10x or higher jeweler’s loupe.
  • Focus: Angle it under bright, natural light or LED light. The black transfer print will stand out from the glaze surface.
  • Details to Look For: Borders, crowns, serif typefaces, and any company name or country of origin.

2. Using a Blacklight (UV Light)

  • Genuine Antique Glaze (pre-1930s) may fluoresce soft green or yellow under UV light due to lead-based glazes.
  • Reproductions or Later Glazes often do not fluoresce or glow purple or white instead.

I digitally enhanced the image with the mark and in looking at the enhanced image of the backstamp, we can begin to interpret several key features despite the wear:

Visual Breakdown of the Mark

  • Top: A crown motif is clearly visible, which is a common element in English and European porcelain marks, often used to imply prestige or royal warrant (though not always officially granted).
  • Middle Text (difficult but partial):
    • The first line appears to begin with a capital “S”, possibly followed by "emi" or "ouci" — it's fragmented.
    • The second line may begin with “China”, “Ware”, or possibly a company location like “England”.
  • Bottom: There appears to be a curving banner or underline of text, which might indicate a pattern name or a decorator's mark.

Possible Matches Based on Visual Motifs

Given the ornate crown and font style, here are some potential manufacturers to consider:

  1. Staffordshire Potteries (UK) – Numerous small firms used a crown mark with script or serifed font from the mid-1800s to early 1900s.
  2. R.S. Prussia or R.S. Germany – Though typically their marks are more floral and flowing, some early German exports used similar crests.
  3. Bavarian or Bohemian Ware – European factories also used a crown with script text, especially for export to the U.S.

Next Steps for Home Verification

  1. Trace the Mark:
    • Place a sheet of tracing paper over the backstamp.
    • Use a soft pencil to carefully trace visible parts to help clarify the letterforms.
  2. Compare Online:
    • Use ThePotteries.org or Kovels.com to search for visual matches by selecting "crown" under mark elements.
    • Try searching phrases like “vintage porcelain crown mark blue and gold flowers” in Google Images or eBay.
  3. UV Light Test Results:
    • If the glaze fluoresces soft green or yellow under UV, it's likely pre-1930.
    • No glow or a bluish glow may indicate a post-war or modern reproduction.

If you can provide a clearer or close-up photo of the backstamp alone, or describe any partial words you can see with a loupe, I can try to pinpoint it further. Would you like help narrowing it to Staffordshire or another region based on plate characteristics?

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