Helena Wolfsohn Dresden Bachelor’s Tea Set

Antiques : China : European

 

A rare Meissen style bachelor’s chocolate set made by the Dresden decorating shop of Helena Wolfsohn, hand painted with reserves of seascapes bordered by purple fishscale cartouches, gilt trim, and floral sprigs. Each painted reserve is a highly detailed piece of art and each is different. The set consists of:

1 Chocolate pot with cover, excellent condition, size 8 ¼” H

1 Sugar bowl with cover, excellent condition, size 4 ½” H by 4 ¼” D

1 Footed cream jug, excellent condition, size 4 ¾” H

3 cups and saucers, size of cups 2 ¼” H, size of saucer 5” D

We believe this set to have been commissioned by a sea captain for his private collection, hence the beautiful detailed paintings of seascapes. The cream jug has unusual vine shaped feet and the cups feature twisted branch handles. These are obvious Meissen blanks, purchased and decorated at Wolfsohn’s studio in the late 19th century.

Helena Wolfsohn owned a porcelain decorating studio which began operation in Dresden, Germany, in 1843. During her lifetime, her shop was one of the most prolific decorating studios in Dresden. She did not produce porcelain but purchased white blanks from Meissen as well as from other famous porcelain factories. Her mark was often mistaken for one of those factories, especially Meissen. Whether or not this was done on purpose to deceive is still in question amongst historians. What is not in question, however, is that she painted pieces of exceptional quality and artistic merit, and that her wares have become very collectible in their own right.

Item ID: PS04-16-08-03