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Up for sale is a beautiful, highly collectible piece of American ceramic history: an antique Homer Laughlin China Company soup tureen set in the elegant "Empress" shape. This is an incredibly rare find as it includes not only the lidded tureen and underplate, but also the original matching porcelain soup ladle.
Because most original porcelain ladles broke over the past century, finding this complete 4-piece ensemble intact is exceptionally difficult. The set features a refined early 20th-century aesthetic with a delicate green and rust-colored geometric border, crisp white glazing, bright gold-gilded handles, and a striking gold-accented ladle handle.
Historical Dating Breakdown:
This beautifully matched heirloom set showcases pieces produced during Homer Laughlin's golden era:
- Tureen Base: Features the stamped mark "HOMER EMPRESS 9 6 L" (September 1916, East Liverpool, Ohio plant).
- Lid: Features the gold-stamped production sequence "E 18 0 5 M".
- Underplate: Features the stamped mark "HOMER LAUGHLIN EMPRESS 4 20 N 8" (April 1920, Newell, West Virginia plant).
- Ladle: Unmarked, authentic matching pattern piece.
Set Includes:
1. Oval Soup Tureen Base (with handles)
2. Matching Oval Lid (with ladle cutout slot)
3. Matching Porcelain Soup Ladle
4. Matching Oval Underplate / Serving Platter
Condition:
This complete antique set is in beautiful structural condition for being over 100 years old. There are no chips, cracks, or repairs on any of the four pieces. The gold accents on the handles, rims, and ladle show only light, age-appropriate wear and retain an excellent luster. Fine, clean glaze crazing typical of semi-vitreous ironstone from this era may be visible upon close inspection. The unglazed base rim of the tureen shows some minor cosmetic shelf-wear/staining (see photos).
Please review all photos carefully as they serve as the final descriptor of the item's condition.
Shipping & Handling:
Due to the fragile nature and extreme rarity of this multi-piece set, it will be meticulously wrapped in heavy-duty bubble wrap, padded securely to ensure safe transit. Shipped fast with full tracking. Offers welcome!
