Seeing the vast number of items with Arnart marks and stickers, people can hardly believe the fact that Arnart was not a manufacturer. The company always imported customized products, mainly via their US office located to 212 5th Avenue. An interesting fact in this context is that even after the 'Arnart 5th Ave.' mark had been introduced in 1957, Arnart actually continued to use the 'Arnart Creations Japan' stickers.
During the mid-50's the company decided to make an own series of figurines; this decision was based on the popularity of the Hummel figurines produced by the German Goebel company. Arnart therefore employed the designer Erich Stauffer. Many 'urban legends' rank around Erich Stauffer or his items. For example, some people claim that the goods 'Designed by Erich Stauffer' were made by the Kalk company from the town of Eisenberg in Thuringia. Which is total nonsense, just like the legend that Stauffer actually worked for the Goebel company or -in another version of the legend- was the designer that created the famous Hummel figurines.
Following the successful decades in business based on items made in Japan the market eventually shifted, as direct result thereof the largest part of the product range was later produced in Taiwan. During this period, 'Arnart Creations' was eventually renamed to 'Arnart Imports, Inc.' and also imported small numbers of items from manufacturers in England as well as Germany.
In the year 2001 the business is claimed to have moved to 230 Fifth Avenue (Suite 2004). Fact is that the company in 2001 discontinued many old marks and dropped various registrations. Otherwise, business seems to have continued as usual.
This page is of course not intended to be a complete rundown on Arnart company history and/or their marks. For me it simply counts to state that all these items are *not* items created by the German 'Porzellanmanufaktur Kalk' or similar. Still, here are a few Arnart trade names and marks used over time:
When checking out marks on items without stickers, take a look at the number of feathers on the arrows and the numbers included in the mark. Certain combinations of numbers and three feathers mostly indicate Arnart while other number sets and four feathers often indicate manufacture for HomCo.
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Closeup of the well-known sticker. The trademark was registered on April 30th 1953 and cancelled February 17th 2001.
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Another sticker closeup, note that it reads 'GERMANY'. This was unly used 1956 on ceramics made by the
Scheurich company.
(Picture by Cherri Copeland)
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Arnart sticker from 1983, here on 'Melba Ware' from England.
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Arnart sticker from 1983, here on an item made in Taiwan.
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Crossed arrows with three feathers above a four-digit number.
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Crossed arrows with three feathers above a four-digit number trailed by a 'P'.
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Many four-feathered versions were produced for
HomCo but Arnart also had its fair share, like here on item '7419'.
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Crossed arrows with four feathers, here on 'S7618' but that marking type should not be confused with ...
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... marks on items designed by
Erich Stauffer (which also carry a leading 'S'), here with three feathers ...
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... and here with four feathers. Some of these had a totally different numbering ...
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... as can be seen on this, also four-feathered, version.
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Arnart's version of a 'BLUE ONION' mark.
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Arnart's 'BROWN ONION' can be found either written in English or -as shown here- as 'BRAUN ONION' (German).
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This is the basic 'ARNART 5TH AVE.' mark registered 1957.
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'ARNART 5TH AVE.' mark in the 'ROYAL CHINTZ' version.
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'ARNART 5TH AVE.' mark in the 'PORCELAINE' version.
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Standalone 'PORCELAINE' mark version.
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Crossed swords above a single 'A' and the item number '1788'.
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Crossed swords above a single 'A', 'HAND PAINTED' and the item number '2722'.
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Single 'A' above a set of crossed swords, that above 'ARNART 5TH AVE.' and 'HAND PAINTED' and the item numbr '2195'.
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Single 'A' above a set of crossed swords, that above 'ARNART 5TH AVE.' and 'HAND PAINTED' and the item numbr '2227'.
(Picture by Thomas Maietta)
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A single 'A' above a set of crossed swords above 'BLUE ONION', found on an item with Arnart sticker.
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Original 'ROYAL CROWN' mark.
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Original 'ROYAL CROWN' mark, here on the bird figure 'ROBIN'.
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Here the better known version with crown above 'ROYAL CROWN' and 'HAND PAINTED'.
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Elaborate 'ROYAL CROWN' mark from 1984, here on an item produced in Taiwan.
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Simple 'ROYAL CROWN' mark from the 1980's.
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Simple 'ROYAL CROWN' mark, here on the 'SMUG MUGS' edition 'GREEK CLASSICS'.
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Simple 'ROYAL CROWN' mark, here on the 'SMUG MUGS' edition 'LOVE BIRD'.
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Simple 'ROYAL CROWN' mark, here on the 'SMUG MUGS' edition 'PSYCHODELIC'. Note the extended item numbers.
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Arnart also had special marks for some series, here the 'SATSUMA' version.
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Mark of the 'IMPERIAL PEACOCK' series.
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Mark of the 'GOLDEN EMPRESS' series.
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Arnart 'beehive' mark (example on item '7697'), registered in Japan in December 1957 and cancelled February 17th 2001.
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A few versions of the Arnart 'beehive' mark included the small circled 'R' for 'REGISTERED TRADEMARK'.
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Arnart 'beehive' mark, here on item '33/775'. The 'MESSEN VIENNA' addition is nonsense.
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Arnart 'beehive' mark, here on item '55/879'.
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Arnart 'beehive' mark, here on item '55/1125' which was titled 'COURTSHIP'.
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A 'mini-beehive' in gold, here on item number '33/177'.
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Another 'mini-beehive' in gold, here on item number 'M4010', with Arnart sticker.
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Another version, here in red on item number 'M4036'.
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Arnart 'K.P.M.' mark, even
Roentgen incorrectly lists this as German.
(Picture by eBay user joflora)
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Arnart 'K.P.M.' mark, here with 'MADE IN JAPAN' sticker.
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A version of the 'Royal Crown' mark as it can be found on cardboard tags accompaning the 'KPM' marked items.
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Arnart's own version of the 'crowned N' mark, here on item '55/1291'.
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Arnart's own version of the 'crowned N' mark, here on item '55/1397'.
