Fake 'Bayreuth' Porcelain Portrait Plate

Porcelain : Antique

 

This example is a porcelain portrait plate with ornate gold stenciling. The female portrait is transfer decorated with hand painted embellishments in white enamel. It appears to be signed by an artist named 'Iris.' The plate has a Bayreuth Bavaria crown logo, that gives the impression of age. But this is deceptive.

The item is actually one of a matching set of decorated plates with royal ladies motifs imported and sold by the wholesale company for several years. The series of four plates to which it belonged is pictured in that wholesaler's 1974 catalog. The Bayreuth Bavaria crown logo shown is a mark requested by that importer and it was specifically created to look old so the item on which it was placed could later easily be confused for an antique. This mark won't be found in books covering maker's marks for antiques because it is a contemporary backstamp.

At one time this piece also carried a paper label that would have easily identified it as new. This, of course, was probably quickly removed after purchase by the original buyer. These types of items can be particularly troublesome because they closely mimic a highly collectible and fairly scarce type of item which many buyers may have see pictured in books, but which they have never personally handled.

The plate is well made and decorated and this is one of those times when looking at the mark is the best way to know it for what it is. And that is - a contemporary fake, not an antique porcelain item.

This plate is 10 1/2 inches in diameter but other sizes may also exist. It can be found in other colors besides magenta.

Item ID: 2007RP00026