What secrets are kept by old Bohemian figurines that amaze with their grace for more than 150 years

2024 Author: Richard Flannagan | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-15 23:55

For more than a century and a half under a well-known brand Royal dux bohemia in the Czech Republic exquisite "figural" and "interior" porcelain products of the highest quality are produced. Thousands of original works representing figurines in the form of figures of people and animals, as well as a huge variety of decorative objects - clocks, bowls, vases, candlesticks and dishes have a large palette of performance and amaze with their sophistication and grace. Our publication contains interesting facts from the history of Czech porcelain and an excellent gallery of samples of antique Royal Dux products.

Royal Dux Bohemia is the name of a porcelain manufactory founded in the town of Dux in Bohemia (Duchcov, in the west of the present Czech Republic) in the middle of the 19th century. The production, initially specialized in the production of mainly terracotta tableware, had completely changed its priorities by the beginning of the twentieth century. Highly artistic products in the form of statuettes and busts in the Art Nouveau style, exquisite decorative vases decorated with three-dimensional figures, candlesticks, caskets, plates, bowls and other items have become the hallmark of the Royal Dux company, which is still successfully developing. For more than a century, its unique products have been an impressive part of Czech porcelain exported to all corners of the world.

From origins to development. Porcelain Royal Dux

For a long time, the secret of making porcelain was strictly kept by Chinese craftsmen. Therefore, European manufactories mainly produced products from terracotta, faience and majolica. By the way, terracotta (earthenware) dishes were very popular, they cooked food in it, brewed tea, they could be of different colors, they were always in demand and were generally available. And only by the beginning of the 18th century, successful attempts to produce porcelain were made by European masters. And by the end of this century, favorable conditions had developed in Europe for the widespread development of porcelain manufactory, which made it possible to release the first Bohemian porcelain in the town of Klosterle in 1794.

Thanks to the rich deposits of kaolin, porcelain production began to develop gradually, including in the area of present-day Karlovy Vary. One of the first factories in those places was built in Dux. In 1860 it was bought by the successful expert modeller Eduard Eichler. For more than 25 years, his manufactory has successfully produced products, mainly from earthenware, majolica and terracotta. Only a small part of the production was devoted to porcelain. The situation changed radically when, after the death of the entrepreneur in 1887, the management of the factory passed to his adopted son, Wilhelm Hans.

New century - new recognition

The new owner expanded and improved the production of porcelain, introduced new technologies for the use of soft paste, which significantly expanded the capabilities of the enterprise. The company began to develop incredibly quickly and expand its range, and at the end of the 19th century it received the status of a joint-stock corporation "Duxer Porzellanmanufaktur A. G." headquartered in Berlin.

This period was especially successful and productive for the factory thanks to the designer Alois Hampel, who developed a whole series of Art Nouveau figurines and busts. The corporation began exporting porcelain and earthenware figurines to neighboring countries in Europe and the United States, and also took part in all kinds of exhibitions, while receiving honorary awards such as the Grand Prix at the World Exhibition in St. Louis in 1904 and a silver medal at the exhibition in Milan. in 1906.

The great demand for Royal Dux products also required a global expansion of production. It is worth noting that until 1913 the company employed about 500 workers, and the factory itself was equipped with five round and 17 muffle furnaces, as well as its own steam power plant, which made it possible to successfully implement the latest technologies of that time.

However, the high rise in production was interrupted by the First World War. The management stopped the production of porcelain for some time, closing the factory. Distribution networks were destroyed, demand for products fell sharply, there was a lack of funds for new developments, as well as design development. Soon after the end of the war, production began to work again, albeit at small capacities and not in full, and with the beginning of the Great Depression, the factory stopped developing new production lines altogether.

At such low speeds, the factory survived the Second World War. And after graduation, workshops were opened at the state school of ceramics in Teplice. Czech craftsmen gradually began to restore ancient secrets lost during the war years and develop new technologies. Thus, by the end of the 50s. Royal Dux has regained its position in the global market.

The range of Royal Dux porcelains produced has been complemented by realistic figurative motifs that are subservient to modern times. A new series of design solutions by Professor Jaroslav Jezhek brought great success to the company in Brussels in 1958, where the World Exhibition was held. For more than 60 years, the Royal Dux product range has grown with grace and elegance in new lines and shapes.

How antique dealers distinguish the value of Royal Dux Czech porcelain

For more than a century and a half, Royal Dux has maintained its highly artistic, aesthetic and technological standards of production, releasing new catalogs of figurative and decorative porcelain, respected all over the world. And, of course, Czech porcelain is popular with collectors all over the world. But the special decoration of any collection is antique Bohemian porcelain. So how do experts determine the value of Royal Dux Bohemian porcelain?

Royal Dux porcelain is characterized by four production periods, distinguished by the differences in the logo, according to which items are evaluated at antiques auctions: - from 1860 to the First World War: the letter "E" in the center of the triangle, under the acorn; - from 1919 to the Second World War: stamp "Made in Czechoslovakia", printed in ink next to the triangle; - 1947-1990: the letter "E" was changed to "D", as the company was renamed "Duhtsov porcelain" (the seal "made in Czechoslovakia" - removed).- from 1990 - to the present - the hallmarks "Made in Czechoslovakia" and "Made in the Czech Republic" are used.

I would also like to note that in 1900 the company used the "pink triangle" as a hallmark, which distinguishes their products up to the present time: a pink porcelain triangle with the inscription "ROYAL DUX BOHEMIA" around an acorn. Inside the acorn is the letter "E" (Eichler). Extant records show that this logo became their trademark in 1912 and remained in use until the late 1940s, when the letter "E" was replaced by "D". The letter "M" can be found on products after 1953.

Since 1918, the logo with the pink triangle has been combined with the "Made in Czechoslovakia" brand, printed on products in connection with the established foreign trade regulations, according to which the country of origin must be indicated on all exported goods.

Of course, not only the Czech Republic developed porcelain production in Europe and was incredibly successful in this business. England also developed its own unique technologies, and no less successfully. Read about this: How the British forged antique porcelain, and 150 years later it became a collector's dream.