Ornate Dresden Style antique porcelain figurine

by Carol
(Wayne, PA, USA)

Ornate Dresden Style antique porcelain figurine:- This belonged to my grandmother and I believe it is German. I looks a little like Dresden because of the details, but it only has a few markings in the piece itself and a painted 20 on the bottom. Would anyone know exactly what this is and its worth?

Thanks,

Carol

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Ornate Dresden Style antique porcelain figurine

Hi Carol

Many thanks for submitting your lovely fanciful item.

It is, in fact something known as a 'spill vase', and not, in fact a figurine. Spill vases were kept on the mantelpiece to carry the fire lighting tapers in common use in those days.

Often spill vases were cheap, fun, decorative items - two-a-penny and almost throw away. In your case this item definitely has a quality about it in terms of the subtle modelling and the ornate design.

You are probably right in that it is Germanic - either from Germany or what was Bohemia. It is very likely late 19th century and was probably originally part of a pair - man and lady.

However, I believe there will be no way in the normal course of events for you to identify the maker of this beautiful piece as the marking is not enough of a clue and any number of European factories could have made this item.

These spill vases go for a very wide range of prices at auction - check out my link below to do some self-research of value.

Other contributors please try to help with this one (post your comments via the link below).

Peter (admin)

p.s. The following page is a 'must see' if you are self-researching fine china - for value and identification:-

Researching the identity and value of antique and vintage fine china.

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