Meissen Figurine - Is This The Real Thing? Antique China Query

by Diana

Meissen Figurine - Is This The Real Thing? Antique China Query: The figure is about 6 inches high. The base is about 3 inches across.

I purchased it at an auction with a some other stuff; Nippon, Flow Blue and Stafford for $2.00 (yes two dollars). I think that the stuff being sold in this lot belonged to a dealer or a shop owner or something because there were price stickers on some of the items.

This figure had a price of $125.00 on it and at first I thought it was Royal Doulton because of it's appearance, but now I don't know.

Thanks again. :-)

~ Diana

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reply by Peter (admin) below - just scroll down...

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Reply by Peter (admin)

To:- Meissen Figurine - Is This The Real Thing? Antique China Query:

Hi Diana

Thanks for your query and your photos.

The first thing to say is that the figurine is definitely NOT Royal Doulton. All Doulton figurine wares are clearly marked and identifiable. The impressed pottery mark on the bottom of your figurine is a similar design to the crossed swords of Meissen (if this were a Meissen piece it would be valuable).

Any Germanic modeling/sculpting of a figurine, especially from antique Meissen wares is normally totally exquisite. The modeling on your item, although showing very nice period frills, is very basic, stiff and lacking in skill. The figure is stiff with no finesse in movement and over-glazed on the face. If this piece was modeled by a German artist from a top maker like Meissen, especially a period artist from history, I would be quite shocked.

It would be from a trainee rather than a master. It looks more like a (not too skilled) Far East artist from the mid 20th Century attempting an 'old fashioned' European porcelain look. 'Pile them high and sell them cheap' type ware.

However, it is worth noting that some 'Dresden' style decorators like Martha Buddich, Franz Sieber, Karl-Heinz Klette and Gisela Keilhauer of Küps, Bavaria, Germany were all producing items in the 1950's and 60's which looked very similar in style to these rather crudely modeled Japanese figurines. Lots of Dresden style lace and poor quality sculpting. Sorry to be picky, but it is my job to know what good sculpture looks like.

The reason this figurine looks the way it does is because the mark is that of a Japanese maker calling themselves "Wales China". Made in Japan, their crossed swords pottery marks can either be raised as in your piece or a printed mark of the same device. I don't know anything about them, but my guess is their wares were part of the 1950's and 60's influx of post war cheap imports which Japan was known for during that early industrial period.

As for values, people need to take into account the changing market in the current economy. Items fetching premium prices a couple of years ago are no longer, and other things becoming 'fashionable'. For example, I predict that certain Japanware of the 1950's and 60's will become collectible in it's own right at some time in the future due to it's 'snapshot' of the history of a magnificent manufacturing nation.

You can read the history of the Meissen factory and other Germanic makers by going to my A to Z Guide on China Manufacturers. Look under 'D' for Dresden.

Also, a good starting point for your china research is to go to my China Replacement page and follow instructions on how to price compare your purchases - you should get a 'feeling' for value by learning about the information on this page.

Best regards,

Peter (admin)

p.s. The following page is a 'must see' if you are researching fine china - for value and identification:-

Researching the identity and value of antique and vintage fine china.