Featured Pair of Neoclassical Urns, Marked

Picked these up today. I'm not even sure what they're made from - quite heavy, so I think maybe iron or terracotta that's been painted black? One has a male figure on the front within a snowflake-like raised cartouche; his female "companion"? is on the other side. The other has the female within the cartouche on the front and the male on the back.

Both pieces are marked - looks like WS&S - not sure about the ampersand. One has 298 beneath and the other, 299.

I'm hoping the marks are a clue.

Thanks, Janice

 

They appear to be missing lids.

Debora

 

and appear to be newish..

 

Well, the mark is Wilhelm Schiller & Sohn. 1850ish to eve of World War I. Specialized in terracotta.

Debora

 

https://www.porcelainmarksandmore.com/related/bohemia/obergrund-01/index.php

 

autocorrect........ Jewish !!

 

This appears to be the same design. (Also unlidded.)

https://www.ebay.com/itm/2548094936...MI4a7Kv5q1ggMVZROtBh2LZwhIEAQYBCABEgLxwPD_BwE

Debora

 

Wow-thank you! Any idea who the male and female profiles are?

 

They could just be generic classical profiles. @Bronwen will know.

Debora

 

Bronwen is better at mythology than history. The form & decoration of these are so eclectic, I have to think the twosome are fantasy figures. I like the idea of Don Quixote & Dulcinea, but doubt that was in anyone's mind when they were made.

 

I wonder if that original finish is under that black paint?

 

Hadn’t thought of that. But I don’t have the slightest idea of how to remove the paint without damaging what may or may not be underneath.

 

the flaking on the interior would support that....& causing me to think these were newer..

 

Actually, I think these are early production. More research says the lower numbers and the lack of a raised cartouche around the initials are early wares. That said, if I were to try to remove the black paint, how would I do it?

 

carefully.....if at all !
I can't see it coming off , willingly !

 

Greg would have known.
Maybe one of the potties knows.

Autocorrect knows who's using it.

 

The figures strike me as being roman

 

Just to say it's possible these are meant to be black - by no means an expert in this type of pottery but I wouldn't try to remove the paint without asking an expert first. I have seen black / dark brown wares of this age in France, they're possibly of the time.

 

That's black paint. Before you go trying to remove the paint, you should check if it is lead based.