Germany / Thuringia / Ilmenau:

[1] : Porzellanfabrik Metzler & Ortloff (1875 until 1972)

'Metzler & Ortloff' produced a large variety of items including kitchenware, toys, gifts, figurines and doll heads as well as a few smaller tea and coffee sets but there is not much known about the background of the company. Around 1913 the factory gave work to roughly 130 people and that number remained steady all the time. Quite a few well known sculptors worked for 'Metzler & Ortloff' or had their items produced there, for example Paul Wynand and the specialist for animal figures Paul Zeiler. Numerous figures were designed by Siegismund Wernekinck who also worked for the company of Galluba & Hoffmann.

[2] : V.E.B. Kunstporzellan Ilmenau (1972 until 1976)

In 1972 the company was nationalized and thus renamed; from 1973 onwards the factory was under supervision by the 'Neues Porzellanwerk Ilmenau' (short 'NPI') office in the newly opened factory location of the V.E.B. Henneberg Porzellan Ilmenau in the 'Eichicht' part of Ilmenau. Only a few years later the factory was closed after plans for a modernization were dropped and it turned out that even the needed repairs would be too expensive.

Marks

Image 1-01

Impressed on doll's heads around 1890.

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Used between 1890 and 1945.

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Used between 1890 and 1945, note there is no ampersand in the middle.

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Initials 'M & O.' over 'HAND-MALEREI', no date known.

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Used between 1890 and 1945.

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Used between 1890 and 1945, here one from the later years used with 'GERMANY'.

Image 1-07

Early version of the export mark, here shown with the word 'FOREIGN' stamped on as stand-alone print.

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Same as before without the circle around it.
(Picture by Paula Jardine)

Image 1-09

Perfect example, the word 'FOREIGN' is clearly visible.

Image 1-10

The normal version (not intended for export) was used without any additions, here in green, used up until 1972
(Picture by Margaret K. Mott)

Image 1-11

Same as before, but here in the less often used red version, used up until 1972.

Image 1-12

Standard export mark after 1923, used up until 1972.

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Standard export mark after 1923, used up until 1972, here without the outer ring.

Image 1-14

Standard mark with addition 'KUNSTPORZELLANE METZLER & ORTLOFF' which was added between 1930 and 1972.

Image 1-15

Same as before, but here in red.

Image 1-16

And the same as before, here shown in gold.

Image 1-17

No date known, 'Metzler & ORTLOFF' over 'UNDERGLAZE' over 'GERMANY'.

Image 2-18

Used around 1972.

Image 2-19

Used between 1972 and 1976, 'KUNSTPORZELLAN' above 'ILMENAU' and 'GDR'.

Image 2-20

Used between 1974 and 1976, 'K P' (for 'Kunstporzellan') above 'ILMENAU' and 'GDR'.
(Picture by Margaret Goodwin)