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ID #SA1148076
FOR SALE
£400
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Pair of German Porcelain Sweetmeat Figures, Attributed to Volkstedt, 19th Century
For sale by Gillers Antiques Ltd
for sale €468     $508
£400
Gillers Antiques Ltd

Gillers Antiques Ltd

Sellingantiques Verified Since Mar 2023
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Id #SA1148076
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Pair of German Porcelain Sweetmeat Figures, Attributed to Volkstedt, 19th Century

19th century
Description

A highly decorative and well-preserved pair of late 19th-century German porcelain sweetmeat figures, attributed to the Volkstedt manufactory, Thuringia. Each figure is modeled as a young girl standing over a reticulated basket and holding a bird, posed atop molded rocaille-style scroll bases in soft enamelled pastels with gilded embellishment. These figures bear underglaze blue crossed-swords marks and the impressed code "4pO", consistent with Thuringian interpretations of the Meissen style, often used to emulate its prestige.

Condition:

Both pieces are in excellent antique condition. There are no chips, or restorations. One small firing crack near the base, a typical result of kiln tension during production. All flowers and birds are complete and undamaged — an uncommon survival. One figure shows a fine streak of gold on the hand, likely from the original painting process.

Measurements:

Height: 19.5 cm and 19 cm

Width: 13 cm

Depth: 10 cm

Weight: 374 g and 367 g

A rare and elegant pair of German figures, with strong aesthetic appeal and fine preservation.

Please study the accompanying photographs carefully as they form an integral part of this description. If you have any questions, we will be happy to answer them. The item will be shipped with full tracking and insurance. It is important to note that shipping costs include labour, packaging and postage.

Date of Manufacture

Gillers Antiques Ltd has dated these Volkstedt Porcelain Sweetmeat Dishes to the 19th Century.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Reference
SA1148076
Description
A highly decorative and well-preserved pair of late 19th-century German porcelain sweetmeat figures, attributed to the Volkstedt manufactory, Thuringia.
“
Each figure is modeled as a young girl standing over a reticulated basket and holding a bird, posed atop molded rocaille-style scroll bases in soft enamelled pastels with gilded embellishment.
Gillers Antiques Ltd

These figures bear underglaze blue crossed-swords marks and the impressed code "4pO", consistent with Thuringian interpretations of the Meissen style, often used to emulate its prestige.

fig 1. A pair of 19th-century German porcelain sweetmeat figures featuring sculpted children with birds beside reticulated baskets on ornate scrollwork bases.
fig 1. Pair of German Porcelain Sweetmeat Figures, Attributed to Volkstedt, 19th Century

Condition:

Both pieces are in excellent antique condition. There are no chips, or restorations. One small firing crack near the base, a typical result of kiln tension during production. All flowers and birds are complete and undamaged — an uncommon survival. One figure shows a fine streak of gold on the hand, likely from the original painting process.

fig 2. A pair of 19th-century German porcelain sweetmeat figures featuring sculpted children with birds beside reticulated baskets on ornate scrollwork bases.
fig 2. Pair of German Porcelain Sweetmeat Figures, Attributed to Volkstedt, 19th Century

Measurements:

Height: 19.5 cm and 19 cm

Width: 13 cm

Depth: 10 cm

Weight: 374 g and 367 g

A rare and elegant pair of German figures, with strong aesthetic appeal and fine preservation.

Please study the accompanying photographs carefully as they form an integral part of this description. If you have any questions, we will be happy to answer them. The item will be shipped with full tracking and insurance. It is important to note that shipping costs include labour, packaging and postage.

Date of Manufacture

Gillers Antiques Ltd has dated these Volkstedt Porcelain Sweetmeat Dishes to the 19th Century.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Ref
SA1148076
Gillers Antiques Ltd
Gillers Antiques Ltd
Sellingantiques verified Since Mar 2023
Dealer Profile

You can view the stock and full dealer information on the Gillers Antiques Ltd Profile Page

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A pair of 19th-century German porcelain sweetmeat figures featuring sculpted children with birds beside reticulated baskets on ornate scrollwork bases.
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Archive I A pair of 19th-century German porcelain sweetmeat figures featuring sculpted children with birds beside reticulated baskets on ornate scrollwork bases.

Pair of German Porcelain Sweetmeat Figures, Attributed to Volkstedt, 19th Century

Archive II A pair of 19th-century German porcelain sweetmeat figures featuring sculpted children with birds beside reticulated baskets on ornate scrollwork bases. View II
Archive III A pair of 19th-century German porcelain sweetmeat figures featuring sculpted children with birds beside reticulated baskets on ornate scrollwork bases. View III
Archive IV A pair of 19th-century German porcelain sweetmeat figures featuring sculpted children with birds beside reticulated baskets on ornate scrollwork bases. View IV
Archive V A pair of 19th-century German porcelain sweetmeat figures featuring sculpted children with birds beside reticulated baskets on ornate scrollwork bases. View V
Archive VI A pair of 19th-century German porcelain sweetmeat figures featuring sculpted children with birds beside reticulated baskets on ornate scrollwork bases. View VI
Archive VII A pair of 19th-century German porcelain sweetmeat figures featuring sculpted children with birds beside reticulated baskets on ornate scrollwork bases. View VII
Archive VIII A pair of 19th-century German porcelain sweetmeat figures featuring sculpted children with birds beside reticulated baskets on ornate scrollwork bases. View VIII
Archive IX A pair of 19th-century German porcelain sweetmeat figures featuring sculpted children with birds beside reticulated baskets on ornate scrollwork bases. View IX
Archive X A pair of 19th-century German porcelain sweetmeat figures featuring sculpted children with birds beside reticulated baskets on ornate scrollwork bases. View X
Archive XI A pair of 19th-century German porcelain sweetmeat figures featuring sculpted children with birds beside reticulated baskets on ornate scrollwork bases. View XI
Archive XII A pair of 19th-century German porcelain sweetmeat figures featuring sculpted children with birds beside reticulated baskets on ornate scrollwork bases. View XII
Archive XIII A pair of 19th-century German porcelain sweetmeat figures featuring sculpted children with birds beside reticulated baskets on ornate scrollwork bases. View XIII
Enlarged Archival View
Gillers Antiques Ltd

Gillers Antiques Ltd
Telephone 07738 009924
Location
Buckland House
Buntingford
Hertfordshire
SG9 0PY
United Kingdom
Dealer Profile Page sellingantiques.co.uk/gillersantiques
Verified Since Mar 2023
Items For Sale 398
Items Sold 580
Gillers Antiques Ltd
Gillers Antiques Ltd
Verified Since Mar 2023
View Dealer Info
Location: Buckland House, Buntingford, Hertfordshire, SG9 0PY, United Kingdom
Profile: sellingantiques.co.uk/gillersantiques
Verified
Mar 2023
For Sale
398
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A pair of 19th-century German porcelain sweetmeat figures featuring sculpted children with birds beside reticulated baskets on ornate scrollwork bases.
Pair of German Porcelain Sweetmeat Figures, Attributed to Volkstedt, 19th Century
Ref: SA1148076
A pair of 19th-century German porcelain sweetmeat figures featuring sculpted children with birds beside reticulated baskets on ornate scrollwork bases.
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Cataloguer’s note

Written by Sellingantiques from the dealer’s photographs and listing
  • ObjectSweetmeat Dishes
  • Period19th century
  • StyleRococo Revival
  • MaterialPorcelain, Enamel, Gold Leaf
  • ColourMulticolour
  • MotifsReticulated basketwork, Rococo scrollwork, Putti figures, Polychrome enamel

This pair of late 19th-century German porcelain sweetmeat figures originates from the Volkstedt manufactory in Thuringia and follows the Rococo Revival style. Each piece models a young girl standing beside a reticulated basket while holding a small bird, set atop an ornate rocaille-style scroll base finished in soft enamelled pastels with gilded highlights. The polychrome enamel decoration uses soft blue dot patterns on the clothing, green accents on the basket rims, and multicolored floral motifs near the scrolled bases. Underglaze blue crossed-swords marks and the impressed code "4pO" mark the pieces, which show a small firing crack near the base alongside a fine streak of gold on one hand from the original painting process. The measurements are Height: 19.5 cm and 19 cm, Width: 13 cm, Depth: 10 cm, with weights of 374 g and 367 g. These sweetmeat dishes suit placement on a sideboard top, mantelpiece or display cabinet within a traditional interior. The matching pair provides decorative symmetry for formal dining rooms, drawing rooms or living spaces. Collectors of 19th-century European porcelain and Thuringian ceramics use such items to display small sweets, nuts or decorative items during gatherings. The intact flowers and birds complete the original sculptural composition, whilst the pierced reticulated basketwork and openwork scrolled feet demonstrate the craftsmanship typical of regional interpretations of the Meissen style. House guests observe the detailed enamel work and gold leaf embellishments from multiple angles when placed on open surfaces.

FAQs

Sweetmeat figures are decorative ceramic tableware items featuring sculpted figures integrated with small baskets or bowls. They were originally created to hold sweetmeats, nuts, and candied fruits during dessert courses in European dining.

19th-century German porcelain figures were crafted from hard-paste porcelain, composed of kaolin, feldspar, and quartz. They were hand-moulded, fired at high temperatures, and finished with overglaze enamels and gilded highlights.

Authentic Volkstedt porcelain often displays makers marks under the glaze, such as a pitchfork, crown, or crossed lines in blue enamel. Look for detailed hand painting, paste quality, press-marks, and typical Rococo Revival styling.

Place porcelain figures on a sideboard, mantelpiece, or inside a glazed display cabinet to serve as focal points. Contrast their delicate form against dark wood surfaces or minimalist stone countertops to highlight their polychrome detail.

Dust figures regularly with a soft, dry microfibre brush to prevent buildup in delicate crevices. Avoid submerging in water or using harsh chemical cleaners, as water can damage delicate cold gilding or enamel overglaze.
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