Mitteldorfer Straus Majolica, thoughts please

Discussion in 'Pottery, Glass, and Porcelain' started by tyeldom3, Jul 29, 2014.

  1. tyeldom3

    tyeldom3 Well-Known Member

    Can I get your thoughts on this please? Here is a closed listing. Not my listing, but I acquired this exact piece from auction a few weeks ago. The seller of this closed listing is local to me and took it to auction, where I bought a mixed table lot with this in it. I know it didn't sell obviously but just wondering if the description is accurate, and all that good stuff! :cigar::cat:
    I saw Walter was here this morning, so hoping he will pop back by.
    Thanks for your time.
    http://www.ebay.com/itm/Mitteldorfe...D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557
     
  2. Walter Del Pellegrino

    Walter Del Pellegrino Well-Known Member

    Its nice to be wanted. Thank you.This mark has had me stumped for a number of years.
    There are two types of PV marks-one written, as in your example and another either impressed into the clay or printed with PV in a circle. I am now of the opinion that either mark refers to 'Peasant Village'. This was a line created for, and imported by, Mittledorfer Strauss of New York. Peasant Village pieces were made in several countries, including France, Italy, and even the U.S.
    Mittledofer used the PV logo beginning in 1928 and I believe they continued to use it through the 1960's. The parent company, Mittledorfer Strauss, remained active into the 1970's.
    There is no way to tell which specific factory made these pieces as the customer, (the importer in this case) refused to allow any company names or logos to be used except their own.
    In the matter of this particular piece I feel the seller has overstated the items attributes. It is not wise, for example, to use terms one is not sure of. This plaque is neither majolica nor is it done with a sgraffito style. The item is simply glazed earthenware. Sgraffito (misspelled in the seller's auction) means "Scratch". It is a technique wherein a pointed stick or stylus is used to scratch a design into the body of the object before it has been fired in the kiln.
    I am not sure what the seller was looking at through his or her camera lens but this is not a quality, artistically crafted piece of art. The importer did not “deal with the finest potters” as stated in the ad. They supplied low to median imports for the general consumer.
     
    Figtree3 and tyeldom3 like this.
  3. tyeldom3

    tyeldom3 Well-Known Member

    Wow, Walter, thank you so very much for that wonderful information! You are so very kind to take time to help.:happy:
    My thoughts exactly on the descriptions.....
    The Majolica part I wasn't sure of, as I have so much to learn, so thank you for that too.
     
  4. Bill Oberndorfer

    Bill Oberndorfer New Member

    Mitteldorfer was my uncle. His last name was often misspelled. It is Straus.
     
    Last edited: Oct 11, 2022
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