{HISTORY}

Featuring handpainted florals in shades of cabernet, lemon, beige, taupe, and pale pink, this pair of small antique porcelain plates is a lovely study in art and design.

Unmarked as to maker or manufacturer, we suspect that these two might have been from the Austrian pottery of Oscar Gutherz who was active in the porcelain industry between the 1880s and the mid-1910s under the name Marx & Gutherz, or later in operation with his brother, Edgar under the mark O. & E. G. Royal Austria.

Both potteries were well known for their beautiful designs and both maintained a distribution relationship with New York dishware importer Lazarus Straus, which might explain how these dishes came to live in New England. 

With a tight scalloped edge, off center design, and beautiful neutral color palette, these 6.5” inch plates are ideally suited for year round use and decoration. Given their petite size and unique style, we love them best as snack trays, desert plates, tapas servers, or petite hors d’oeuvres platters at cocktail time. Incidentally, thanks to their color palette, they look especially pretty with glasses of both red and white wine, which also makes them ideal for cheese and crackers and small charcuterie trays. But really they are great for any little nibble that fits the menu item of the moment. 

{SPECIAL FEATURES}

- Handpainted

- Unique design and pattern

{CONDITION}

In lovely antique condition, these plates contain no chips, cracks, spots, or stains. The gold trim on the scalloped edge is wearing in most areas. The floral design is crisp and clear and the handpainted color palette is vibrant. Natural dark speckles can be seen in a few dots on both plates. These are not flaws, yet natural marks that occur in the clay.  Please see photos. 

{SIZE}

Each plate measures 6.5" inches (diameter) and weighs 5 oz.