The Value of Antique Porcelain Figurines and Other Questions

by Mark
(London / Cambridge)

The Value of Antique Porcelain Figurines and Other Questions:- I am trying to write a piece re collectable figurines as well as Royal figurines. Regarding figurines in general, I have 3 questions.

1. What was the most expensive price made at auction?



2. What was the most popular in terms of sales and the line that was the longest in production?



3. What wasI also looking for a decent website to give information regarding the history of Royal figurines.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks / Rgds

Mark

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Peter (admin) says:-

Dear Mark

Many thanks for posting such an interesting submission.

I can chip in on the first question by saying the highest price fetched by a porcelain figurine in recent times that I know about was a Russian 'STATE PORCELAIN MANUFACTURE' figural group depicting "A DISCUSSION OF THE DRAFT SOVIET CONSTITUTION IN AN UZBEK COLLECTIVE FARM, NATALIA DANKO". This was sold by Sotheby's London on 01 Dec 2005 and sold For £18,000 GBP UK (Estimate £6,000 - £8,000).

In the same Russian Sale at Sotheby's on the same date a pair of Russian dancers were sold for £36,000. This does not beat the above figural group because there were two figures in this lot (Lot 178)

In Germany, a Ludwigsburg figural group sold by Dr. Fischer Fine Art Auctions of Heilbronn, on May 12th, 2007, (Lot 43) sold for €18,000 Euros (the starting bid). The Estimate was €23,400 - €27,000 Euros.

The above examples are slightly cheating because they are figural groups. The highest I know about for a single lady figurine (one person depicted) is, again, a SOVIET STATE PORCELAIN MANUFACTORY PORCELAIN FIGURINE OF TAMARA KARSAVINA, C.1920's, sold by Sotheby's London on 12th June 2008 for £7500 GBP UK.

An Art deco Lenci Italian porcelain clown figurine sold on Apr 16th, 2011 at Nest Egg Auctions of Meriden, CT, USA for $13,000 USD (about £7795 GBP UK). However, this was way above the estimate of $1,000 - $3,000 with a starting bid of $500. There must have been two determined collectors in the room who were both going for it.

Price depends upon the dual factors of rarity and quality.

The collectible and fashionable names are Meissen and Vienna (the first two porcelain factories in Europe). The top end auction price for a Meissen lady figurine would be around the €6000 - €8000 Euros, although you can buy a set of 4 Meissen 18th Century Figurines for $6000 USD (see Richard D. Hatch & Associates of Flat Rock, NC, USA - sold , 27th Feb 2010). Many more Meissen porcelain figures fetch in the price range $500 - $2000 USD.

Genuine 18th Century Royal Vienna figurines can also sell in the region of $500 - $2000 USD, but figures were not necessarily what they are most known for though. The ERNST WAHLISS/ALEXANDRA PORCELAIN WORKS was one of the factories which carried on the traditions and quality of the Imperial and Royal Porcelain Factory of Vienna, founding in 1902. An Ernst Wahliss art deco faience lady figurine (c.1912) sold at Dr. Fischer Fine Art Auctions on May 12th, 2007 for €4500 Euros. However, it is Vienna hand painted plates which have been much sought after in the past with many single plates selling in the $500 - $5000 USD price range.

This gives you an idea if what prices for porcelain figurines are at the top end. There may be exceptional figures that beat these, but you would have to check with the auction houses themselves for details.

Let's hope others can chip in with ideas about the other two of your questions.

Regards

Peter (admin)