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Rare and unusual antique E.S. Prussia porcelain plate, hand-painted with the emblem of the Order of the Eastern Star and hand-inscribed on the reverse with the date 1912.
The underside bears the green E.S. / 1861 / Prussia porcelain backstamp associated with Erdmann Schlegelmilch of Suhl, Prussia. This style of E.S. Prussia mark is documented from approximately 1900–1918, making the handwritten 1912 date entirely consistent with the period of manufacture.
The plate features a large five-pointed Order of the Eastern Star emblem with individually colored points and symbolic imagery. The surrounding porcelain has a soft multicolor hand-painted background, green border and gold-colored rim.
The reverse also contains a handwritten inscription/signature immediately above “1912.” Portions of the handwriting are difficult to decipher, so no definitive identification of the individual has been made. Please examine the detailed photographs and make your own determination.
The hand-painted decoration has the character of early 20th-century amateur china painting, a popular decorative art practiced by women during this period. Imported European porcelain blanks such as this E.S. Prussia piece were commonly used by china painters to create personalized and commemorative pieces. Given the Order of the Eastern Star subject and handwritten 1912 date, this may have been created as a personal or fraternal commemorative piece. Its specific painter and chapter affiliation, however, have not been identified.
This appears to be an individually decorated period piece rather than standard factory floral decoration, making it an interesting crossover collectible for:
• Order of the Eastern Star collectors
• Masonic and fraternal memorabilia collectors
• E.S. Prussia / Erdmann Schlegelmilch collectors
• Antique hand-painted porcelain collectors
• Early 20th-century historical and presentation pieces
Details:
Maker: Erdmann Schlegelmilch / E.S. Prussia
Backstamp: E.S. / 1861 / Prussia
Origin: Suhl, Prussia / Germany
Approximate Era: Early 1900s
Handwritten Date: 1912
Decoration: Hand painted
Subject: Order of the Eastern Star / Fraternal
Material: Porcelain
Condition:
Antique pre-owned condition with age-related wear and imperfections. There is visible wear to portions of the gold-colored rim along with scattered marks and other evidence of age. Hanging wire/hardware is present on the reverse.
The maker’s mark and 1912 inscription remain visible.
Please review all photographs carefully for exact condition. The photographs are considered part of the description.
No attempt has been made to clean, restore or enhance the maker’s mark or handwritten inscription.
An unusual 1912 Order of the Eastern Star hand-painted porcelain piece on an authentic E.S. Prussia blank, now more than a century old.
B19
