Rare c1900 RS Prussia "Tigers" Creamer & Sugar

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One of the more exciting finds we've come across recently is this extraordinary RS Prussia creamer and sugar set. The set is decorated in the rare and elusive "Tigers" pattern. While we have often seen lovely pieces of RS Prussia porcelain decorated with pretty floral patterns, the amazing animal design pieces from this renowned maker are notable for their rarity and elusiveness!

The Reinhold Schlegelmilch Porcelain Factory was founded in the province of Thuringia, Germany in the 1890s. The porcelain from the factory was thin, lightweight, and translucent (all markers of fine quality porcelain). Pieces were hallmarked with a distinct green wreath and "R.S.Prussia" in red lettering. This is the factory's most recognizable mark although several others were used throughout the years. This early hallmark conferred the name of RS Prussia to pieces from the Reinhold Schlegelmilch Porcelain Factory. RS Prussia quickly gained in popularity, and the designs created during the factory's heyday were very ornate, often showing a distinct Art Nouveau influence. Collectors consider the pieces made by RS Prussia between 1900-1905 to be among the best porcelain made in Europe.

This beautiful creamer and sugar set dates to circa 1900. The pieces have elegantly ornate forms in the Art Nouveau style, with curvilinear surfaces that gracefully curve in and out. The forms have a subtly naturalistic shape that echoes the organic patterns of leaves, flowers, and vines. Each piece is decorated with a vibrantly hued transfer print of two tigers in a lush, verdant setting. The pieces are accented with gilded details. Each piece is hallmarked with the distinctive red and green RS Prussia mark.

Additional images and further information can be found here.

Hand Painted Porcelain from the Pickard China Co

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When it comes to decorating a home, adding antique pieces add a rich, layered sense of beauty (and history!). Now that spring is here, flowers and flower arrangements are definitely on my mind. Florals for spring may be a cliche, but I like to think of them as timeless instead. A beautiful floral-patterned vase can bring the feeling of spring to your home year-round. We have a few fantastic examples of fine quality hand painted floral decorated porcelain from Pickard that I wanted to show off this week.

Pickard China was founded by Wilder Pickard in Wisconsin in 1893, and soon moved in Chicago in 1897. Pickard began by offering hand painted art pieces, tea sets, and dessert sets. Pickard hired both male and female artists (many from the nearby Art Institute of Chicago, and many noted European painters) who created one-of-a-kind pieces. These early pieces of Pickard porcelain were painted on blanks imported from notable European makers.

The above vase was decorated by the German-born master painter Paul Gasper, an artist who worked for Pickard in the early 1900s. Gasper is known for his daisy motifs, which is featured on this vase along with vibrant red and pink poinsettias. The vase is accented with the artist's trademark gilded details and finished with a beautiful ruffled rim with a wide gilded border. Signed for Gasper as pictured.The blank vase was made by the Oscar & Edgar Gutherz (O. & E.G.) Royal Austria Factory.

Pickard China has been called a uniquely American style of hand painted china. One of the most sought after artists working at Pickard was M. Rost LeRoy, who painted for Pickard between 1898 and 1905. LeRoy left Pickard to join the Donath Studio which was founded by another ex-Pickard artist. This elegant pitcher at the right is a striking example of LeRoy's work: the tall form is extensively gilded and features a vivid scene of ripe cherries on the branch. The porcelain blank came from Limoges, France. The pitcher has an unusual Pickard hallmark which is infrequently found.

Because Pickard purchased its blanks from porcelain factories, antique Pickard pieces will usually have two maker's marks on the bottom: the porcelain factory's trademark, and Pickard's trademark that was applied upon decoration. Pickard remained a decorating studio only until the 1930s when they began producing their own line of porcelain blanks to be painted. Antique pieces of Pickard decorated porcelain can be difficult to find in excellent condition in large sizes like this vase and pitcher.

You can find more porcelain in the Nine Caroline Antiques store here.

Or explore all of the categories of fine antiques and collectibles at Nine Caroline Antiques.

The Unusual Story of An Imari Style Urn

Today we put the spotlight on an antique porcelain urn whose seemingly straightforward (and quite beautiful) appearance belies an unusual background.

In the 19th century, English manufacturers were realizing the great untapped European market for Japanese Imari porcelain. Japan had been largely closed to the Western world for years, limiting its foreign trade strictly through Dutch and Chinese traders. Japanese goods were admired for their beauty and prized for their scarcity. 19th century English manufacturers capitalized on this and subsequently set to making fine quality reproductions of traditional Japanese Imari porcelain wares.

This monumental urn is a beautiful example of the English reproductions of Japanese designs. The urn is influenced by the vibrant Imari-type patterns, with bold colors and ornate figural handles depicting dragons and fish. The transfer print decorations are finely detailed and vividly colored using classic Imari motifs. The base exhibits an underglaze transferprint English Royal Arms mark with rampant lion and unicorn. This variation of the mark was used in England as early as 1837.


This mysterious hallmark is where the story of this urn becomes so interesting. The lion and unicorn hallmark would seem to indicate this urn was one of those 19th century English reproductions. Notably absent from the mark, however, is any indication of the specific potter, potter location, or pattern name. As English pottery was always marked for maker, it is a near certainty that this urn is a later copy of the types of Imari porcelain crafted in England. Considering the high glaze and style, it is most likely that this urn is actually an early 20th century Japanese copy of the English imitations of the original Japanese Imari decorated porcelain.

This is a wonderful work of decorative art displaying a fine degree of craftsmanship. The convoluted background of the piece - an antique copy of an antique imitation of traditional Japanese design - makes it a fascinating piece of design history.

Learn more about this Japanese English Imari design ironstone china urn here.

Visit our store for more fine quality antique porcelain pieces.