New York
[1] : Arnart Creations / Arnart Imports (1953 until 2001)
Seeing the vast number of items with Arnart marks and stickers, many people incorrectly believe that this company was a manufacturer. But they merely imported customized products, mainly via their US office located at 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 present 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 US designer Erich Stauffer and many urban legends rank around both the person as well as 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.
As said, most items were made in Japan, and Arnart Creations eventually was renamed into Arnart Imports, Inc.. Small numbers of items were by then imported from manufacturers in England as well as Germany, but following the successful decades in business based on items made in Japan, the market eventually shifted. As direct result, the largest part of the product range was later produced in Taiwan.
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.
This page is of course not intended to be a complete overview of Arnart company history and/or their marks, it merely points out that all these items were not created by the German Porzellanmanufaktur Kalk or similar. Still, here are a few Arnart trade names and marks used over time:
- 'Original Arnart Creation, Japan'
- 'Original Arnart Creation, New York'
- 'Arnart 5th Ave.' (registered 1957)
- 'ArMark'
- 'Royal Carlton' (registered for porcelain tableware in 1957)
- 'Royal Chintz'
- 'Royal Crown' (registered in 1965 and used until 1987)
Comment(s)
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 production for Arnart while other number sets and four feathers often indicate manufacture for ⇒Home Interiors & Gifts (HomCo). That is of course not set in stone but certainly a good start for further research.
The three-feathered arrows with additions like "Blue Onion", "Brown Onion" and "Grenada" were normally reserved for kitchenware items and utensils whereas the latter name is often missed as it was apparently only used on a single series of square canister sets.
Marks
(Picture by Cherri Copeland)
(Picture by Thomas Maietta)
(Picture by eBay user joflora)
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