Victoria Antique Porcelain

History of Victoria Porcelain

Founded in 1883 by Lazarus and Rosenfeld Ltd, the Victoria Porcelain Factory was located in Altrouhlau, Bohemia, Austria. It was sold to Franz Schmidt two years later and became the largest porcelain factory of its time.

The pieces manufactured by the Victoria Company were considered commercial products. At the time they were not thought to have great artistic value. However, the company produced many pieces that are of very high quality and are considered by today's collectors to have great artistic merit. In addition to porcelain pieces, the Victoria Company also produced a ceramic product called porcelite. Although this type of porcelain is considered a lower quality ceramic product, it is also highly coveted by collectors of antique Bohemian porcelain.

Several decades later when the communist regime took over in 1945, the Victoria Porcelain Company and the Altrohlau Porcelain Company were merged with the EPIAG (Erste Böhmische Porzellan Industrie, the letters AG are the German term for Inc.) becoming part of the state owned porcelain industry of Starorolský Porcelán. The town of Altrohlau, Austria is now known as Stará Role in the Czech Republic.

Victoria Porcelain Marks

According to the extensive research done by Ginnie Snodgrass on Bohemian, German and Czechoslovakia porcelain marks, there are thirteen different marks that were used by the Victoria Porcelain Company, eleven of those with the word Victoria used as part of the mark. Many antique porcelain collectors refer to Ginnie’s website as an authoritative reference for help in identifying the year of their Bohemian antiques. To view the maker’s marks used by the Victoria porcelain factory go to Ginni’s Collectors Circle and Bohemian Boutique, click on Pottery References, then Bohemian Porcelain to Marks Table Part II and scroll down to the Victoria subsection.

Examples of Victoria Antique Porcelain

Victoria porcelain is delicate in form and design. Many pieces were decorated with elegant scenes of Romanesque women, delicate flowers or Graeco-Roman scenes that are mythological in style. The colors are rich and many pieces have edges and trim painted in gold gilt.

• An unusual piece by the Victoria Porcelain Factory, this sardine server was made circa 1904.
• A beautiful lily of the valley flower transfer adorns this exquisite scalloped edge double handled serving plate marked Victoria, Carlsbad, Austria. This gorgeous plate was manufactured between 1891 and 1918.
• This delicate cabinet cup and inverted well-shaped saucer was made by the Victoria porcelain company between 1891 and 1918. The cup features a transfer design of a lovely Greek style scene and gold gilt trim.
• An elaborately decorated cabinet plate from the Victoria Porcelain Company circa 1891 to 1918.
• A beautiful hand painted vase from Victoria porcelain manufactured in 1911 features a pastoral scene that wraps around the entire vase.
• A magnificent double handled urn with the blue makers mark of the Victoria factory used from 1891 to 1918.

Where to Find Victoria Porcelain Online

Exquisite antiques from the Victoria Porcelain Company are available from many online antique stores and auction websites. The following are several of the many excellent places to find Victoria antique porcelain online.

• Ruby Lane
• Go Antiques
• TIAS Fine Antiques and Collectibles
• eBay
• Atlantic Antique Gallery
• Live Auctioneers

A Word of Caution

Even in the world of antique porcelain there are many fake pieces on the market. Make sure to always buy from a reputable source and carefully check the maker’s mark or pictures of the mark if you are buying online. For more information on recognizing forged maker’s marks go to News Antiques.

Conclusion

Whether you collect Bohemian antiques or simply enjoy the beauty of these exquisite old pieces, Victoria antique porcelain is a treasure to admire and enjoy. Insert non-formatted text here