Porcelain dish with hole puzzles family
Q. Enclosed is a photo of a porcelain jar with a matching plate that belonged to my grandmother. It is decorated with multicolored pastel flowers and gold trim. It stands about 5 inches tall, including the plate. On the bottom, we see a design - a crown with crossed bars, with the letters "R.C." and the words "Selb - Bavaria - Primrose." Interestingly, the bottom of the jar has a hole in it about the size of a 50-cent piece. We are all puzzled. No one in the family knows what it is used for, although there have been several suggestions. I hope you can provide information about the purpose, maker, origin, age and value of our mystery dish.
A. Your jar was designed to hold a condensed milk can. The can would've been placed inside the porcelain jar, and the opening on the bottom was designed for someone to push the can up to serve or remove it. It was made by Rosenthal China; "Primrose" is the name of the pattern. Philipp Rosenthal founded his porcelain factory in Selb, Bavaria, Germany. Initially, Rosenthal purchased white ware blanks from several different potters. He decorated them in his factory and went house to house to sell them rather than in stores. By 1879, Rosenthal opened his own factory and began producing high-quality tableware and decorative objects. The public soon recognized the exceptional quality of his porcelain. Rosenthal porcelain continues to be sought after in both Europe and the United States.
Your container was also used to hold jelly and jam. During the Victorian era, dinners were elegant events. They often served multiple courses, including oysters, fish, fowl and meat. Different flatware was designed for each course. So setting a can of condensed milk on the table would not have been acceptable presentation.
The piece was made around 1900. Similar pieces made by Rosenthal are selling on the Internet for around $200 to $325.
Q. This signature or insignia is on the front of a tall cameo vase that was given to me years ago. It is about 20 inches tall, has an elongated neck and is still in mint condition. The vase is decorated with green foliage against a pale yellow-green background, with a dark green base. The signature is toward the bottom of the vase near the foliage. Anything you can tell me will be appreciated.
A. You have a wonderful example of an Emile Galle vase. Galle founded his glass house in France, in 1867. After he died in 1904, his famous vases and beautiful glassware were still produced until 1913. Most of his pieces were signed. When he died, a star was added to the signature.
Your vase was made sometime after 1904 and is probably worth $1,500 to $1,800.
• Address your questions to Anne McCollam, P.O. Box 247, Notre Dame, IN 46556. Items of a general interest will be answered in this column. Due to the volume of inquiries, she cannot answer individual letters.
© 2016, Creators Syndicate