Description

Remarkable pair of late 19th-century German decorative porcelain wall sconces/brackets.

Alfred and Carl Wilhelm Voigt re-established the famous Sitzendorf factory in Thuringia, Germany, around 1850, ushering in a golden era of highly ornate, Neo-Rococo porcelain.

The dense, hand-modeled, encrusted flowers and the pastel-painted cherubs with their delicate sashes are the absolute signature aesthetic of this region.

It is incredibly common for these specific pieces to be unmarked. During the late Victorian era, many of these wares were created for the export market, where marks were either left off by request of the retailers or applied over the glaze, wearing away over the decades.

The hollowed-out, unglazed back rims are exactly what appraisers look for to verify authentic Thuringian manufacturing methods.

While Sitzendorf is the strongest stylistic fit, expert consensus within the antique trade also points to highly related contemporary workshops in the Saxony and Thuringia regions.

The bright, glassy white hard-paste glaze and the incredibly sharp, meticulously layered flower petals are textbook German ceramic tradition.

Based on the style and construction, these sconces date to the late Victorian or Edwardian era, specifically circa 1880 to 1910.

In the world of antique porcelain, condition is everything—especially with encrusted floral work. It is exceptionally rare for these delicate, razor-thin flower petals and tiny cherub fingers to survive without extensive chipping or missing pieces.

The pair for sale here are in pristine condition. Small damage to one flower (see last pic) but no other cracks or repairs. Otherwise their value has been beautifully preserved.

Approx height 17 cm

Once an offer is agreed, viewing can be arranged (South Dublin) prior to final sale.

Thanks for looking!