Antique Bohemian Porcelain Salad Plates circa 1880-1918 - Set of Four
{HISTORY}
Awash with a rainbow of color, these gorgeous antique porcelain salad plates were made in the Czech Republic between the years of 1880-1918. Back then it was known as Bohemia, which helps us date this pattern.
Because of trade laws established by the United States, in 1880 all items of import needed to be stamped with their place of origin. As Czecholslvakian history unfolded during the 20th century, this area of the world would go through several name changes, all reflected on pottery back stamps. After 1918, dishware from this area was stamped with the Made in Czecho-Slovakia mark.
Beyond the Made in Bohemia mark that appears on the back of each of these plates, it is unknown which specific pottery produced this set. But we can tell a few more things about them even though they don't contain a makers mark.
1) They were handpainted, using a really lovely-go-with-any-season color palette of aqua, tangerine, grape, terracotta, spring green, lime green, bayberry, butter yellow, and pale blue.
2). They were handmade, not from molds in assembly line fashion, but physically made by hand, plate by plate. There is a lovely uneven roundness to each one, most noticeable when they are stacked together one on top of the other.
3). If we had to guess, we would say that inspiration for this pattern design came from the Haviland's of Limoges France, who produced some of the most exquisite porcelain the world has ever known. But what makes this batch really unique from the primarily pastel patterns of French porcelain of that era is the bright, bold Bohemian color palette.
It's these small details that create a lovely overall aesthetic here in these four plates. Offering tons of mix and match potential with dishes of other decades - these would look especially lovely with the solid Fiestaware colors of the 1950s and 1960s.
{SPECIAL FEATURES}
- Matching set of four
- Design includes flowering branches and leaves
- Handpainted
- Handmade
{CONDITION}
In lovely antique condition. There are no chips or cracks. A flower or two on each plate bears some light, slight rub marks due to age, but these are barely noticeable thanks to the eye-catching colors and arrangement of the handpainted flowers. Please see photos.
{SIZE}
Each plate measure 7.5" inches (diameter) and weighs just under 8oz.