Q: I have a full set of Schumann Bavaria Empress china. I also have some
teacups and saucers that look very, very similar. However, the backs of
them don't have a stamp. It is hand-painted with a tiny H, then a big X
under that, and Dresden written in cursive under that. Is it possible they
are also by Schumann, or is Dresden it's own brand?
A:
Dresden is a city or area in Germany. Historically, the factories who
produced porcelain there created multicolored floral patterns of high
quality. Many Dresden factories started including the name Dresden in the
markings on the bottoms of their wares (much like factories in Limoges,
France or Staffordshire, England).
This general type of floral spray decoration became know generically as
"dresden" china. Now you can see many versions of "dresden" looking china
from Germany, America, Japan or just about anywhere else in the world where
china is made.
It sounds like the cups and saucers that you have are made by a different
manufacturer, not Schumann. They may be hand painted china made in
Dresden and the letters could represent a specific factory that produced
the pieces. Of course it is impossible to tell for sure with such limited
information and without seeing a piece.
Oddly enough, antique handpainted Dresden porcelain is older and
frequently of higher quality than the Schumann "Empress". However, the high
demand for the newer "Empress" pattern can sometimes make it more valuable
than the antique, handpainted pieces.
|
