Swan and arrow mark and painted symbol ID help!

by Judy
(Michigan)

Swan and arrow mark and painted symbol ID help!:- Inherited this highly detailed and beautiful figuring. Ten inches high - seven inches across shell. Has a 9 on top, then a series of marks starting with what looks like a swan symbol, an 8, another 8, and an arrow pointing up with a backward check at bottom of arrow. Please see pictures. Any help identifying type, age, etc, would be greatly appreciated!

Regards

Judy

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reply by Peter (admin) below - just scroll down...

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Reply by Peter (admin)

To:- Swan and arrow mark and painted symbol ID help!

Hi Judy

Thanks for your submission together with your merged pictures. Could have done with larger clearer images however, as I can't really see any swan or arrow and the lack of clear detail on the finishing and faces makes it quite hard to comment - although I will try. My comments are based on what I can actually see which is NOT any sign of a swan mark (did you upload the right pictures?).

What I can actually see looks like an 'N' mark with a fan type crown above (on its side) very typical of a Far East importer based in New York called Arnart - which operated until 2003.

This particular 'N' mark started out as the early mark of Naples, and became used by other Italian makers using the style to become known as Capodimonte. German makers also used a similar mark with an 'N' and crown. It has been said that nearly all Thuringian factories used an identical 'N' mark for exports. Here are some of the German factories which also used a crowned 'N'.

Althaldensleben (Germany - Prussia) - Founded in 1826, Potschappel (Germany - Saxony) - Founded in 1872, Rudolstadt (Germany - Saxony) - Founded in 1854, Sandizell (Germany - Saxony (Dresden)) - Founded in 1951, Volkstedt (Germany - Saxony) - Founded in 1930, Waldershof (Germany - Bavaria) - Founded in 1916

So the only real way to tell where a piece like this was made is to look at the quality - particularly the sculpting values.


German sculpting would be far superior to Far East modeling which is normally very rushed and poor. The better the modeling, the older the item. I can't tell by your photo, but it doesn't look that special suggesting it could well be quite modern(mid to late 20th Century) mass produced German or Arnart (although I have never seen this type of impressed numbering with Arnart items - their ancillary marks are normally words written in clear blue capital letters).

Hope this helps.

Anyone needing valuations only, please go to this vintage and antique china values page. I can also put you in touch with experts on that page.

Best regards,

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.