Crown With Cursive "L" (Is It Real Ludswigsburg of Württemberg) - Pottery Mark Query

by Kim
(FL, USA)

Crown With Cursive "L" Pottery Mark Query: i have a figurine of grandmother sitting and small boy upside down. women sewing pants on boy with machine while pants on that had a marking of a cursive letter "L" and then a crown looking mark. there is some lettering around the crown but i am unable to see well enough to know what it says.

The markings are all in red ink and the figurine appears to be of ceramic or possibly porcelain. it also appears to have only a light sheen and not very glossy but it very detailed. Does anyone have any ideas who made this or what it is?

Thanks

Kim

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Reply from Peter (admin) below - just scroll down

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Reply by Peter (admin)

To:- Crown With Cursive "L" (Is It Real Ludswigsburg of Württemberg) Pottery Mark Query

Dear Kim

Thanks for taking the trouble to contact the site.

Without any photos I can only really give you a run-down of the manufacturers who are known to have used a cursive "L" with a crown on their pottery marks, according to my various books. I have uploaded some photos of genuine Ludswigsburg of Württemberg marks and figural work for your information.

This cursive "L" with a crown mark is the original pottery mark of the world renowned Ludswigsburg of Württemberg. There are many fakers and imitators of this mark, in a similar way to the crossed swords of Meissen. Many first class makers use the crossed swords in their marks as an 'homage' to Meissen (nb: there is a lot more information on this around my site, please use the search box on the top right of every page to find it).

Similarly for the marks of Ludswigsburg of Württemberg. The crown and cursive "L" is the territory of German experts - not my area of knowledge particularly, but I will do my best.

Unfortunately, this type of valuable European porcelain is rife with copies and fakes - made both within Germany and also the far east.

The following porcelain manufacturers used a cursive "L" on their pottery marks:

The original factory was Ludswigsburg of Württemberg, Germany. Their porcelain factory was founded in 1758 closed in 1824. They were known for producing 'palace' ware for Duke Charles Eugine von Württemberg and later King Friedrich. Sometimes there is an "F" for Friedrich under the crown mark (1806 - 1816) and most often a double "C".

Some of their most sought after wares are their fine figurines. Prior to 1793 was the very highest quality period of figurine manufacture at the Ludswigsburg of Württemberg manufactory. After that period the figurine production was less exacting in quality.

According to my records, the cursive "L" under a crown was only used for a short period between 1793 and 1795. The double "C" under crown was more common.

Schorndorf of Wurttemberg, Germany then used the "L" with crown pottery mark in the 20th Century, founding in 1904, located in the same area of Wurttemberg as the old Ludwigsburg works. The new factory copied the old 'Ludwigsburg' pottery marks - adding the initials W.P.M. (Wurttemberg Porzellan Manufaktur) and then promptly patented this porcelain trade mark.

Schorndorf of Wurttemberg is not to be confused with the official post-war reopening of the old Ludwigsburg factory in 1948. Founded as a public company this new company continues to this present day. It produces tableware as well as art pottery mainly in porcelain. Both the old markings of a crowned double C and the crowned cursive letter "L" are used, but the latter only for special editions. Post 1947, the addition of the name "Ludwigsburg" is added to the mark along with the artists initials. This addition of "Ludwigsburg" would be one of the clues to distinguish the new wares from the old as from 1947 the pottery markings are very clear and specific.

Passau of Bavaria, Germany were founded in 1840. This factory is one of the best recorded 'mark-imitators' of the 20th Century. They reproduced copies of the original Ludwigsburg porcelain as well as the Höchst factory (based on the original models). The Passau factory actually had the cheek to register the 'Ludwigsburg' marks.

The Lettin factory of Saxony, Germany was founded in 1858. They made tableware and art porcelain. Lettin had no shame in openly copying the famous Ludwigsburg crowned L mark, saying the L stood for 'Lettin'.

Adolf Leube of Dresden was founded in 1906 in Dresden, Saxony. Leube's studio was not a manufacturer of porcelain wares, but a white ware decorating plant. The crown on his mark shows a different type of crown from the Ludswigsburg of Württemberg pottery mark, otherwise the marks is very similar, using the cursive "L".

Your figurine group is most likely a more modern item, otherwise you would have something of a museum piece on your hands in which case I would be calling the insurance salesman immediately! Which maker is responsible, I can't say as I have no photos of marks or the piece itself to go by. I have included a collage of photos of original Ludswigsburg of Württemberg wares and mark at the top of the page for general interest.

In my view it is most likely you have a non-Ludswigsburg of Württemberg figurine group because the originals would be museum pieces and very valuable, and the new production (post 1947) would be clearly marked. Without seeing the mark it would be impossible to say, but put your research efforts into the other crown "L" makers first.

Hope all this info helps rather than baffles!
Good luck!

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.

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