Fancy Porcelain Thing! Can you help?

[staceyanne]

Hi!

Ive been a long time lurker, but was hoping to say hi, and see if anyone might be able to help point me in the right direction.

I went to a yard sale today, and saw this in the corner. The house had alot of marble tables and stands and fancier french furniture, but was a smokers house - so EVERYTHING was covered in layers of tar. But there was some nice stuff, mostly a little too antique for my tastes.

I Looked at it the best I could there, but it was pretty grungy and the place was really dark. Its a porcelain painted group of people under a tree and it looks old, because its so detailed its crazy. Like flowers, and small fingers and finely painted hair.

But I need help figuring out how to clean it. I dont want to accidentally wash any of the paint off, but it is nasty. For fifteen dollars, I couldn't not risk it. Any suggestions or tricks for getting off cigar tar and dust? Its about 20” tall and 8” around.

Any ideas of age? Or maker? Theres a funny mark on the bottom in blue. Im not a porcelain person so I have no clue where to begin. Thanks for any help you can give. And thanks for putting up with my Totally random yardsale find of the day!

 

Amazon Forum Fav 👍

DR.ÖTEK Metal Detector, Waterproof Gold Detector, Pinpoint & Terrain Modes, Professional Metal Detector - Grab it through Amazon!

[Terry Soloman]

https://www.thesprucecrafts.com/royal-vienna-beehive-or-shield-mark-14856

 

[staceyanne]

https://www.thesprucecrafts.com/royal-vienna-beehive-or-shield-mark-14856

Hi Terry!! The link doesnt seem to be working?

 

[villagenut]

Nice piece....glad you didn't have to cough up much for it

 

[FloodcityTom]

Hello, sorry Im not much on old porcelain but as for cleaning it you might try some DILUTED apple cider vinegar or some lemon juice & water. Use a tooth brush dip it in the solution and brush gently. Nice piece though!

 

[gunsil]

Google up Royal Vienna porcelain. The "beehive" mark is actually a shield and there are lots of reproductions out there. Maybe more repros than originals, good luck with it.

 

[staceyanne]

Hello, sorry Im not much on old porcelain but as for cleaning it you might try some DILUTED apple cider vinegar or some lemon juice & water. Use a tooth brush dip it in the solution and brush gently. Nice piece though!

Thanks Tom! Ill see how that goes.

 

[staceyanne]

Nice piece....glad you didn't have to cough up much for it

Oh there was definitely coughing. 😂😂😂

 

[DKMac]

Oh there was definitely coughing. 😂😂😂

Hi!

Ive been a long time lurker, but was hoping to say hi, and see if anyone might be able to help point me in the right direction.

I went to a yard sale today, and saw this in the corner. The house had alot of marble tables and stands and fancier french furniture, but was a smokers house - so EVERYTHING was covered in layers of tar. But there was some nice stuff, mostly a little too antique for my tastes.

I Looked at it the best I could there, but it was pretty grungy and the place was really dark. Its a porcelain painted group of people under a tree and it looks old, because its so detailed its crazy. Like flowers, and small fingers and finely painted hair.

But I need help figuring out how to clean it. I dont want to accidentally wash any of the paint off, but it is nasty. For fifteen dollars, I couldn't not risk it. Any suggestions or tricks for getting off cigar tar and dust? Its about 20” tall and 8” around.

View attachment 2030383

Any ideas of age? Or maker? Theres a funny mark on the bottom in blue. Im not a porcelain person so I have no clue where to begin. Thanks for any help you can give. And thanks for putting up with my Totally random yardsale find of the day!



View attachment 2030382View attachment 2030381View attachment 2030380View attachment 2030379View attachment 2030378

 

[DKMac]

I think it’s legit, my first guess was Meissen but Royal Vienna isn’t a bad runner-up. Here is a similar piece

Vienna Austria Porcelain Group - IB08389 | Bellamysworld

Vienna porcelain group hand painted representing a galant scene with a young man courting a young lady under a tree. Vienna Austria Porcelain mark. Austria. 19th century.

bellamysworld.com

 

[staceyanne]

I think it’s legit, my first guess was Meissen but Royal Vienna isn’t a bad runner-up. Here is a similar piece

Vienna Austria Porcelain Group - IB08389 | Bellamysworld

Vienna porcelain group hand painted representing a galant scene with a young man courting a young lady under a tree. Vienna Austria Porcelain mark. Austria. 19th century.

bellamysworld.com

Wow DK!

now I am glad I havent touched it too much. Ill take it to a local friend who knows more about porcelain so I can make sure its taken care of properly. But it looks soOoo similar to the one you found. And looks like its older than I guessed! 🤞🏽

 

[BetterThanTexas]

I would probably just get a spray bottle fill it with some dawn and hot water, spray it down a few times, carefully clean it with some paper towels and q-tips. Hose it off under the faucet.

 

[DKMac]

I would probably just get a spray bottle fill it with some dawn and hot water, spray it down a few times, carefully clean it with some paper towels and q-tips. Hose it off under the faucet.

I wouldn’t over-clean the crevices, just the outer surfaces. Firstly because this can help establish age and second because as you can see it’s pretty delicate so less handling is better.

 

[staceyanne]

Ive decided to put it on a shelf and ask my friend over for dinner to look at it- so I dont drop it on the way over. Hahahaha. Will let you know!

 

[Marlene Dryden]

Hello, sorry Im not much on old porcelain but as for cleaning it you might try some DILUTED apple cider vinegar or some lemon juice & water. Use a tooth brush dip it in the solution and brush gently. Nice piece though!

I use a child's toothbrush for things like this — softer, smaller to get in the tiny places. And QTips, too.