Z.S.&CO Bavaria Vase

Got this about 5 moths ago and I just loved the hand painting on this. There's no cracks, chips or any other damage to this piece. The mark has this piece being made between 1880 - 1918. Hard to believe that it's still in great condition. Got this for $4.

 

You know that the image is a copy of Millet's The Gleaners, right?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Gleaners

 

I see it now. Thank you.

 

I doubt it's hand painted.

 

I agree with you, moreotherstuff. Just wanted to make sure Joe knew the name of the decoration.

 

I'm just not seeing the detail of it being a transfer.

 

What "detail" would you be looking for in a transfer?

 

I guess the same detail as modern transfers, the outline of the images, etc. I did take some pics under magnification. Upon doing so, I did notice some dots in the clothing, not indicative of hand painting.

 

That's why I asked. Glad you see it now.

 

Now the question is, is it a real turn of century Bavaria vase but not hand painted?

 

I think it is a real turn of the century Bavarian vase. But it is not a particularly fine turn of the century Bavarian vase. It was a mass-produced decorative piece back then, and it is the same today. It has the charm of its age and it does seem to be in very good condition. It probably spent most of its existence in someone's china cabinet. It's not a high ticket item, though you can probably make a profit on your $4.

 

What moreotherstuff said.

 

zeh, scherzer & co was never top class. they were massproducing, 60 % went to the States, some models were even made exclusively for the US.
when you search a bit around you'll find these vases for 20 - 30 $.

 

I think that's generous. More like $12-$15 is about the best I would expect on eBay (but then you have to add on the shipping).

 

Many of the 1880s-1930, hand decorated china or porcelain used a technique some times called mixation, that is a transfer print (of original art) enhanced with hand painted highlights. The white highlights in your our vase appear to be raised and hand painted giving the casual viewer the impression of hand painting.