Antique porcelain bowl is a treasured gift
Q. This is a photo of an antique bowl that was given to me by a friend. Because I had admired it several times, my friend gave it me. It is decorated with pastel flowers, gold trim and a white background. The flowers in the center look as though they form the letters "M" and "A." Marked on the back is a shield with the words and letters "Bavaria - C - S - A." The bowl measures about 8 inches in diameter and is over 2 inches high. It is in excellent condition.
It is a treasured gift from a good friend. I would never part with it but would like to learn more about the maker, age and value.
A. You have a Dresden-type porcelain reticulated bowl. It was made by Carl Schumann Porcelain Factory in Arzberg, Bavaria, Germany. The factory was founded in 1881 and closed in 1996. The mark you described was used from 1900 to 1913. Late 19th and early 20th Dresden-style porcelain was inspired by porcelain made in the 1700s by Saxon Porcelain Manufactory located in Germany. Schumann produced a plethora of white-body porcelain decorated with delicate multicolored flowers, gold trim and often with reticulated/pierced borders. The pattern name is "Marie Antoinette," thus the floral shaped letters "M - A" in the center. Schumann made several different pieces of porcelain in the "Marie Antoinette" pattern. Round and oval bowls, plates, cups, saucers and pedestal bowls are just some of the examples that can be found. The letters "C - S - A" represent Carl Schumann and Arzberg.
You bowl was made in the very early 1900s and would probably be worth $50 to $125.
Q. This mark is on the bottom of a covered casserole dish that I bought at an antiques mall almost 20 years ago. It measures approximately 8 inches in diameter and 3 inches high. The bowl is decorated with a gray glaze, and the lid is yellow. It is in very good condition, and I still use it.
What can you tell me about my casserole?
A. Hall China Company made your casserole. Robert Hall founded his factory in 1903 in East Liverpool, Ohio. Hall made ovenware and refrigerator ware for General Electric. The sets included a covered casserole dish, two small dishes, one larger bowl with lid, a rectangular dish with lid and a covered water server. Hall China Company is still in business.
Your covered casserole dish was made around 1950 and would probably be worth $25 to $50.
• 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.
© 2018, Creators Syndicate