Crossed Swords 'Meissen'? Trade Mark Pottery Marks Query

by Karen
(Canada)

Crossed Swords 'Meissen' Trade Mark Pottery Marks Query: I started looking for the pottery marking on this large beautiful heavy parrot that was in my family a very very long time. The picture in your website is the one I am looking for.

When you open your website and go to POTTERY MARKS EXPLAINED the picture illustrated is the same as the marking on the parrot.

Do you know anything about that marking?

Thanks in advance

Karen

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Reply from Peter (admin) below - just scroll down

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Reply by Peter (admin)

To:- Crossed Swords 'Meissen'? Trade Mark Pottery Marks Query

Hi Karen

Well! What do we have here? I am presuming you are referring to the 'crossed swords' picture. If so, you have something, at the very least, interesting, and at the best, very, very valuable.

I have uploaded a photo of a pair of Museum piece Meissen parrots for you to see if they resemble the style of your parrot.

Crossed swords are the pottery mark of Meissen - the first company to ever produce European porcelain in 1710 (see my China Manufacturers A to Z Online Guide).

Quite a few other famous makers took their lead and also used the crossed swords pottery mark. The list of crossed swords pottery marks reads like a Who's Who of antique fine porcelain makers:

Coalport

Worcester

Bristol

Derby

Lowestoft

Nymphenburg

Weesp

Macheleid

The problem lies in the fact that the hand painted marks are so easily copied - and there are many, many fakes. The good news is they some of the fakes are antiques themselves and are valuable in their own right. The bad news is that fakes are still being produced today, but as you have had the bird in your family a long time, you have some good provenance there.

Anyway, I would love to know how this turns out Karen. Please let me know.

Best regards,

Peter (admin)

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.