Porcelain Figurines Of Flower Sellers By Volkstedt, Germany

This pair of hand-painted porcelain figurines, created by “Aelteste Volkstedter Porzellanmanufaktur”, "the oldest Volkstedt porcelain manufactory," located in Rudolstadt, Thuringia, Germany, in 1946, depicts a pair of flower sellers in Rococo attire, embodying an elegance and charm reminiscent of 18th-century European aesthetics. Both figurines are highly detailed; in their hands, they hold a wooden box and a basket filled with colorful flowers. The artistry, from the detailed clothing to the elaborately painted colors, reflects the attention to detail characteristic of mid-20th-century porcelain. The quality of craftsmanship observed here compares with the best productions of German porcelain legends.
The history of porcelain production in Thuringia, Germany, began in 1762. In that year, Georg Heinrich Maheleid appealed to the Prince of Schwarzburg-Rudolstadt, who granted him the exclusive privilege to establish a porcelain factory. Two years later, the factory was acquired by Wilhelm Greiner and Karl Holzapfel. By the end of the 18th century, the manufactory was already known throughout Europe and, among other products, offered 95 different types of figurines. The Volkstedt factory is best known for its lace figurines, which began production in the mid-19th century. In 1910, the factory received a gold medal at the Brussels World Exposition and a silver medal at the International Hunting Exhibition in Vienna, followed by medals and prizes awarded at the Turin exhibition in 1911. The year 1913 brought them gold medals in Leipzig and Geneva, and in 1915, the company received another medal at the Baltic Exhibition. This very lucrative phase was largely based on the work of Dr. Edmund Troester, the director of the Aelteste Volkstedter Porzellanmanufaktur between 1908 and 1931. After World War II, the Volkstedt factory came under state ownership as part of the East German government's nationalization efforts. Following the reunification of Germany in 1990, the Volkstedt Porcelain Manufactory was privatized. The company focused on reviving its historical designs, craftsmanship, and quality standards. Today, it continues to produce fine porcelain items, including limited-edition collectibles and custom-made pieces. The Volkstedt factory has gained a reputation for its finely painted and carefully modeled porcelain figures, a distinction it maintains among collectors to this day.
Dimensions: boy - height 20.5cm, width 10cm, depth 7cm, weight 292 grams.
Condition: perfect condition, even the flowers in the basket and in his hand are perfectly intact - which is extremely rare - usually the leaves of plants and flowers break first and even the rope holding his basket looks like the original .
Dimensions: girl - height 20cm, width 8cm, depth 9cm, weight 263 grams.
Condition: the little finger and thumb of the right hand are chipped off. Otherwise excellent vintage condition all flowers and leaves are intact.
Please study the accompanying photographs carefully as they form an integral part of this description. The item will be shipped with full tracking and insurance. It is important to note that shipping costs include labour, packaging and postage.