Bernardaud China 1915
@littlefranciscan (18327)
United States
December 6, 2013 11:54am CST
Does anyone know anything about an artist or the signature engraved on this piece by Bernardaud&Co from 1915 .. The signature says E.R.Frederick Jan 28 1915. I am trying to find more info about this signature .. it's on some older porcelain china I acquired.
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1 response
@topffer (42156)
• France
6 Dec 13
For me it looks like it has been added later on the porcelain, perhaps by one owner. The company still exists, not far from where I live, in Limoges. You can try to contact them to get more information on this particular china through their web site : www.bernardaud.fr
The date is not written like a French would write it ('28 janvier 1915' or '28 janv 1915', with a 'j', not a capital 'J') ; the '1' cannot also be from a French hand, but more probably, like the date, from an English speaking writer. Small china like this one are generally never signed. Some manufacturers can have provided special orders with the name of the client and a date, but as this is not written by a French, I doubt. Ask the company : maybe they will look in their archives, if they are interested enough.
@littlefranciscan (18327)
• United States
6 Dec 13
since whoever wrote it wrote it in 1915 .. it would mean the piece itself has to be older..what do you think? I cannot even find any Bernardaud with the M monogram on it.
@topffer (42156)
• France
6 Dec 13
@littlefranciscan It is inspired by "Art Nouveau" (not the pattern, white and gold, which is the simplest/cheapest you can find on a china from Limoges, but the shape/design), so it can be a bit older, but it is difficult to tell, as these designs were still very popular during the 1st WW : there is nothing wrong with 1915.
@owlwings (43915)
• Cambridge, England
6 Dec 13
Topffer is right. The handwriting is British/American rather than French/Continental. Gilding is very often painted over the glaze (and then often fired again). It is possible that the company exported plain ware wholesale to be decorated by the seller. It would be quite unusual, though, for a professional porcelain decorator to sign and date the piece in such a fashion, especially since the decoration seems to be simple gilding of the rim and feet.
Another possibility is that is is a commemorative piece and that it was specially decorated FOR (or to be given to) E.R. Frederick on a special occasion.
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