Pottery Mark Query - Fancy Ornate Planter with Numbers on Base

by Lenore
(Bad Axe, Michigan)

Pottery Mark Query - Fancy Ornate Planter with Numbers on Base:- Please help me to identify the maker of this vase/planter. As a young girl early to mid 1950's I bought it at a small antique shop in Detroit, for a gift to my Aunt. I paid $15 for it. My mother was with me at the time of purchase, but I don't remember anything that may have been represented about this piece, I just thought my Aunt would like it. About 20 years ago I interited her household items, and have kept this packed away. I have spent hours online trying to figure out who made it. Though I have a few antiques, I am not a collector, and am not knowledgeable. I don't even know what to call this, a vase, planter, pottery, china?? Any help would be appreciated.

Lenore

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

HOW I MADE MONEY FROM BITS & BOBS OF OLD CHINA .....more

Reply by Peter (admin)

To:- Pottery Mark Query - Fancy Ornate Planter with Numbers on Base

Dear Lenore

I must say, you have submitted a wonderful query. Your photos are great and I love the beautiful and touching story of the provenance of this Jardiniere Planter.

I wish I could help you more with the identity of the maker. I can't quite read the numbers shown on the pottery mark, but I am sure an expert may be able to glean the origin of the wares from the type of mark and the style of the piece.

To me, a non-expert, it looks the style of the wares that might be called faïence / majolica, which would possibly from the Victorian era.

You can easily tell faience / majolica by looking closely, which is what I suggest you do:-

Look for the type of clay 'body' underneath the glaze and fancy decoration (if there were a slight chip somewhere that would give the game away). Faience is a type of high quality earthenware which beneath the surface decoration is a brown or beige colour. In contrast, beneath the surface decoration of bone china there is always pure white - and with porcelain there is an almost pure bluey or greyish white.

Earthenware has to be fired first in a kiln to bisque or "biscuit". The glaze is then added and the item fired again. With faience wares the glaze is an oxide (traditionally based on lead and tin). During the second firing, the oxide combines with the clay to give the faience a white exterior.

In Italy, Scandinavia and Spain this type of production is known as majolica and in Holland is called Delft. The English tend to use the term 'Delftware' for their wares of this type.

Have a really good close up look at your item, and if you so wish you can liaise with one of the expert appraisers on this page:- 'Bring in the China Experts'.

Alternatively, feel free to await answers from knowledgeable others who may come across your submission in this thread.

Hope this helps. Wish I could help more.

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.

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