(pronunciation: carl’s bad)
also known as Karlsbad China
Location: Karlovy Vary, Czech Republic (Karlsbad, Bohemia, Austria-Hungary) OR Rybáre, Czechia (Fischern, Bohemia, Austria)
Due to rearrangements of European borders, the location has been part of several countries over the ages.
These words can be found on the products of several factories located in Germany, Austria and Bohemia, so identification by the maker’s marks may require further identification to determine the actual maker of the porcelain, These words are not an indication of the production of the Victorian Carlsbad Company, whose mark includes the words “Victoria Carlsbad Austria”.
The products of company and area usually have a fine, white body. The dinnerware comes in most of the usual forms, plain and sculpted white, flowers, standard serving pieces and specialty items for specific food or use on a lady’s dressing table.
Many individual pieces are available on the secondary market.
To see Carlbad porcelain listings on eBay, go to my Squidoo lens on the subject.
My opinion: The usual floral dinnerware, with perhaps a modern style or two. They have a nice Greek Key design for those who like this pattern. If you have a sentimental favorite, maybe a piece or two, or a serving piece will satisfy your craving to own it.
Product lines:
dinnerware:
Shapes: The basic form of the china may have a smooth, embossed, or scalloped rim. Scallops may be gentle and on the rim only only or deeply shaped with half way to center of the piece. The company also has patterns on also modern coupe shapes.
Patterns: Floral patterns are stylized and natural swags on rims, with one or more small flowers in well of plate. Sometimes there are flowers only in well. Occasionally the bouquet will run from one edge into well, or from one side to the other.
Geometric patterns: Gold spatter and a central motif, or stars and scrolls with a central medallion.
Platters and serving pieces: round, rectangular, oval, or round with four lobes that makes a pretty square. Carlsbad also makes crescent bone dishes.
Carlsbad has a Blue Onion pattern, as do many china manufacturers.
Carlsbad makes some pierced pieces, as well as oyster plates, vases, dresser boxes, shoes, and biscuit jars.
Prices:
Fairly reasonable. Some pattern have dinner plates for less than $20.
Collector’s Society: (none found)
The official company site is: (none found)
History
A kaolin processing plant was founded in 1842, with porcelain production beginning in 1848. The factory has continued production under many owners and with variable success, including the name of Winterling & Co., Bohemia from 1937 to 1945. The porcelain production facilities were nationalized into Winterling Feinkeramic in 1945.
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Read more about porcelain collectibles in the Porcelain Collectibles Guide.