Discovering Bavarian China: Identifying Marks And Patterns

Bavarian china, produced in southern Germany, is known for its delicate floral patterns and gold gilt highlights. To identify a piece of Bavarian china, you should first turn it over and look for any markings, stamps, or signatures. Many pieces from the region bear the names of their places of origin, such as Arzberg, Bayreuth, Schwarzenbach, Selb, or Tettau. These markings can be used to compare with online images or reference books to identify the manufacturer and general age range of the piece. The style of the marking can also help narrow down the era, as some companies changed their logos over time. Additionally, you can look for maker's marks with symbols, such as a crown over uppercase letters or a crossed sword, which can indicate the company and approximate age of the item.

Check the backstamp

The backstamp is the best place to start when trying to identify Bavarian china. The backstamp is usually the lettering or a logo on the back of the china piece. Flip the china over and look for any markings, which will often feature the initials, logo, or full name of the company that made it.

Over time, some companies changed their logos, so the style of the backstamp can help to narrow down the era of your particular china pattern. For example, china exported to America after 1946 often featured a multicolour stamp with the words "Royal Tettau, Germany, US Zone".

Bavarian china made for the export trade to the United States will be marked in English. Those not made for export or those made for export to German-speaking countries will be marked in German. Many of the backstamps reflect the city of origin, such as Arzberg, Bayreuth, Schwarzenbach, Selb, and Tettau.

If you are unable to identify the backstamp, you can take a copy of the mark or a piece of the china to a collectibles show or a mall specialising in antiques. You can also send a picture file to a replacement-china retailer that offers a research service to get professional assistance in identifying the pattern.

Identify the crest

Bavarian china is a type of fine porcelain produced in the German region of Bavaria. It is known for its delicate, hand-painted floral patterns, soft colours, and gold gilt highlights. It is often characterised by frilly or wavy edges.

Bavarian china crests are usually stamped, indented, or painted on the underside of antique china pieces, often under the glaze. The crests can vary over time as china factories change hands and as political statuses shift.

• Flip the piece over and study its markings: The crest or backstamp on Bavarian china is typically found on the underside of the piece. It may be stamped, indented, or painted, often under the glaze. Look for lettering, a logo, or other identifying marks.
• Check the colour of the backstamp: Bavarian china made for export to the United States will typically be marked in English, while those made for German-speaking countries will be marked in German.
• Identify the city of origin: Many pieces of Bavarian china bear the names of their places of origin. Look for city names like Arzberg, Bayreuth, Schwarzenbach, Selb, or Tettau, which are all known for producing Bavarian porcelain.
• Consult reference materials: Use books, websites, or online catalogues that specialise in identifying Bavarian china. Compare the crest or backstamp on your piece to the markings in these reference materials. Some recommended resources include "Kovels' Dictionary of Marks", "Miller's Pottery and Porcelain Marks", and specialised websites like International Ceramics Directory and Porcelain Marks & More.
• Seek expert advice: If you are unable to identify the crest through your own research, consider consulting a certified appraiser, a knowledgeable antiques dealer, or experts at local shops that specialise in Bavarian china. They can provide guidance and help you determine the value of your piece.

By following these steps and gaining a basic understanding of Bavarian china production and history, you can more effectively identify the crest on your piece and potentially determine its manufacturer, age, and value.

Consult porcelain marks books

To identify Bavarian china, you can consult porcelain marks books. The Library of Congress gives a list of books, including “Kovels’ Dictionary of Marks” and “Kovels’ New Dictionary of Marks.” Miller’s has a pottery and porcelain marks book, too. The specialised source for German, Bohemian and Austrian porcelain marks is by Rontgen. This comprehensive book has pictures of the marks from 1710 to 1981 and gives the dates of use.

Bavarian china collectible pieces come from one of the earliest and most sophisticated porcelain-producing regions in Europe — Bavaria, Germany. Crests are stamped, indented or painted on the underside of the antique china, many under the glaze and most quite legible. The crests varied over time as china factories changed hands, and Bavaria's political status shifted. A basic overview of Bavarian china production over the centuries will help you better identify the crest marks on your porcelain.

Bavarian china was made from hard paste — fine, white clay called kaolin that is fired at extremely high temperatures for a long time. The result is glossy — often slightly translucent — very hard porcelain that "pings" when struck. Once Europe discovered the secret of kaolin and fine porcelain-making, the powerful families who controlled the clay quarries opened china factories. Bavaria had high-quality clay quarries; its first potteries were named, and sometimes marked, for historic or contemporary rulers. Later, owners of the Bavarian potteries added their names to the marks. Identifying marks often featured the royal crest or parts of it, such as one or two golden lions. The lion was the heraldic animal of the Wittelsbach family, which ruled Bavaria for nearly 1,000 years. Some marks show a crown, a common symbol of a royal license that might have a cross rising from its centre or sitting atop a pair of intertwined Cs.

Look for the maker's signature

When identifying Bavarian china, one of the most important things to do is to look for the maker's signature. This is usually stamped, indented, or painted on the underside of the antique china, often under the glaze, and most are quite legible. The maker's signature is also known as a backstamp and will often feature the initials, logo, or full name of the company that made the china.

The backstamp is the best place to start your research. Flip the piece of china over and look for lettering or a logo. Over time, some companies change their logos, so the style of the backstamp or logo can also help narrow down the era of your particular china pattern. For example, china made by J&C Trianon Bavaria, Z.S. & Co., Heinrich & Co., and Old Nuremburg will usually be stamped with their full name.

If the company name is not spelled out, look for a maker's mark with a symbol. For example, a crown over uppercase "H&J C" stood for Hertel, Jacob, and Company, and a crossed sword with the uppercase letters "JPSV" stood for Johann Seltmann.

Bavarian china was also decorated with the crest of the ruling family at the time. The Wittelsbach family ruled Bavaria for nearly 1,000 years, and their heraldic animal, the lion, is often found on china. A crest with a crown and a pair of intertwined "Cs" is also common, as this is a symbol of a royal license.

Find the pattern online

Once you have identified the manufacturer of your Bavarian china, the next step is to find the pattern. This can be done by conducting an online search for the manufacturer's name along with a descriptive term for the pattern, such as "rose". There are several replacement china websites that offer catalogues of patterns, and it is worth checking multiple sites as the selection can be vast. Online auction sites can also be a good source of information, although the accuracy may vary. If your china pattern is rare or made by a lesser-known manufacturer, you may need to seek professional assistance from a replacement-china retailer or a local shop that specialises in Bavarian china.

It is worth noting that the pattern of Bavarian china can provide insights into its historical context. For example, the inclusion of the word "Bavaria" in the backstamp may indicate that the piece was produced after 1871, when Bavaria became part of the German Reich. Similarly, the presence of a royal crest or symbols such as a crown may suggest that the china was produced under the patronage of the Bavarian crown.

In addition to online resources, reference books can also be a valuable tool for identifying Bavarian china patterns. Titles such as "Know Your Tablewares: Their bodies, their shapes, their designs, some old, some new: American, Bavarian, Danish, English, French, Irish" by Dana King Gatchell, and "Kovels' Dictionary of Marks" and "Kovels' New Dictionary of Marks" can provide detailed information about patterns and backstamps.

By combining online and offline resources, and seeking expert advice when necessary, you can successfully identify the pattern of your Bavarian china and learn more about its history and value.

Frequently asked questions