Crown Pottery Mark Over a Cursive "D" on Figurines

by Ira Cutting

Crown Pottery Mark Over a Cursive "D" on Figurines Query:- Dear Peter, Can you help me identify these figurines and their approximate value? The mark is a crown over a cursive "D" and the inscription reads, "Original Germany."

They were unfortunately damaged in a move.

Thank you!

Ira Cutting

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Reply by Peter (admin)

To Crown Pottery Mark Over a Cursive "D" on Figurines Query

Dear Ira

Thanks for you query and photos. This crown cursive D pottery mark is confusing. It has been, some say, wrongly attributed to Martha Budich - a maker of modern Dresden type figurines (see my separate entry on her). However, I have it on good authority (www.porcelainmarksandmore.com) that the black “Crown D Original Dresden” mark that you uploaded is the mark of Karl-Heinz Klette.

This manufacturer was founded 1950 by Karl-Heinz Klette in Küps, Bavaria, Germany. Karl Klette's unit was very small and he specialized in decorated wares in the style of Dresden - the reason for the 'D' in the mark. Your marks dates from after about 1962.

Associated with Franz Sieber in Rudolstadt (Thuringia) later to become Gisela Keilhauer (still producing today) in that they were registered at the same address, both used a crown with a cursive 'D' (but slightly different) and both also created fine china lace figurines. Sieber were at their most prolific in the 20s and 30s. In soviet occupied East Germany, the factory was going to be nationalized in 1949, but Franz Sieber escaped to the west and settled in Küps, Bavaria, Germany.

I do not know the precise history but today there seems to be a connection through from Franz Sieber, originally of Rudolstadt (Thuringia) through to Gisela Keilhauer of Küps, Bavaria, Germany, via Karl-Heinz Klette who, if you examine the registration, seem to own the modern factory of Gisela Keilhauer.

It is a pity they got damaged. These factories are fascinating to collectors because they form an interesting part of European history - albeit modern not antique, and there is a lot of hand work from a small manufacturing unit to be taken into consideration.

With regard to valuations, 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.

Best regards,

Peter (admin)

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