Moritz Zdekauer Sugar Bowl or Jar
Decorative art, Ceramic (Tableware) • Moritz Zdekauer (MZ Austria), Altrohlau, Austria (now Stará Role, Czech Republic)
Style & Movement
Victorian / Beaux-Arts decorative style
Medium & Technique
Hard-paste porcelain with glazed finish, hand-applied transfer decals, and gilded accents.
Creation Period
Circa 1884–1909 (based on the specific green backstamp)
Dimensions & Format
Approximately 4-5 inches in height; circular format with a footed base.
Subject Description
Functional tabletop vessel featuring a bulbous body and a matching lid with a bamboo-style or knotted handle. Decorated with a delicate foliate garland or vine pattern along the rim of the lid, accented with gold leaf gilding.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Good (General surface wear and minor scuffing)
Estimated Market Value
$25 - $50 USD
Auction Estimate
$15 - $35 USD
Provenance History
Displays the 'MZ AUSTRIA' green eagle mark and handwritten pattern number '5289'. Likely produced for the export market, common in middle-to-upper class European and American households around the turn of the century.
Art Historical Significance
Represents the height of Bohemian porcelain production during the late 19th-century Austro-Hungarian Empire. Moritz Zdekauer was part of a major ceramic industrial hub that competed with Limoges and German manufacturers for the international export market.
Notable Features
Includes a visible green eagle over 'M.Z. AUSTRIA' mark and a handwritten pattern or inventory number in black ink, which is crucial for collectors identifying specific set components.
Condition Issues
Visible rubbing and minor loss to the gold gilding on the lid handle, slight accumulation of grime on the unglazed foot ring, and minor surface pitting (kiln specks) characteristic of period mass-production porcelain.
Conservation Recommendations
Hand-wash only with mild detergent; avoid abrasive sponges or dishwashers which will strip the gilding. Store with felt liners to prevent scratching.