Pottery Mark Query - A gold crown with Imperial underneath it

by Kimberly Ann
(CANOGA PARK, CALIFORNIA )

Pottery Mark Query - A gold crown with Imperial underneath it:- I have been going through boxes of various pottery and china pieces that belonged to my grandmother who passed away a few years ago. I came across a serving dish of some kind that I was hoping someone could give me some information on.

The dish is blue with a gold design around the outside. And there a a rose in the center. The dish is shaped like a clover and the mark on the back is a gold crown with the word imperial on the back

Kimberly Ann

========================================

Please contribute to this thread by writing in the comments section below – just scroll down...

HOW I MADE MONEY FROM BITS & BOBS OF OLD CHINA .....more

Pottery Mark Query - A gold crown with Imperial underneath it

Hi Kimberly Ann

This is a very attractive blue dish, but sadly, a mark of this type is not really that much help in identifying the maker.

Why? The word 'Imperial' is a very generic word which, when used on its own with a crown, is often seen when the maker has run out of ideas (lazy marketing) or wants to give an impression of being more old, more established, more valuable than it actually is. The Imperial mark these makers are making reference to is the Royal Vienna factory - one the first European hard-past innovators.


There are of course exceptions and some makers using an Imperial backstamp made fine products. I have written an article on some notable makers who have used the word "Imperial" in their backstamps. The article is here:-

www.figurines-sculpture.com/imperial-crown-china-germany-pottery-mark-query.html

If you follow that link, you will see there is another link to the marks of Porzellanmalerei Parbus, a small decorating studio in Oberkotzau, Bavaria, Germany. This company also used a crown device with the word 'Imperial', but I haver only ever seen examples of their marks with their distinctive double PP marking. However, note the similarity between your mark and their blue/gold/crown/Bavaria mark shown. The similarities are the blue ground, the gold print, and the crown. They seemed to interchange the word 'Imperial' with Bavaria. Your mark does not show the double 'P' motive but it seems to come from the same design stable. I can't be sure, but of the several companies using the brand 'Imperial', I would say Parbus Porcelain is perhaps the most likely maker of your dish.

Peter (admin)

p.s. 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.

Please post comments below which you think might be helpful……