Gorgeous Three Piece Antique German Chocolate Set

This is a gorgeous three-piece porcelain Hot Chocolate Set consisting of a large pitcher with lid, smaller pitcher for cream, and covered bowl for holding ground chocolate and/or sugar. They are decorated in the Aesthetic Movement style, featuring flower, plants and birds, with substantial gilding employed for stylistic decorative elements in the rim and image frame areas.

ARTISTIC DESCRIPTION The pieces are multi-colored renditions of floral scenes with flying birds, and stylized geometric shapes on the trim areas. The style shows a strong Japanese influence typical of the Aesthetic movement. The predominant colors ar redish browns, grayish greens, and grey, with extensive use of gold for details and trim areas. All rims are gilded.

The three piece are all marked with the so-called “beehive” mark (actually a shield) that is associated with the German ceramic maker Erdmann Schlegelmilch of the German province of Thuringia. See the photos. The set has not been professionally authenticated as being from the Schlegelmilch factory. “Schlegelmilch” is a German family name meaning “milkman,” derived from the German word for “buttermilk.”

DIMENSIONS The large pitcher is approximately 8-1/2 inches tall and approximately 6 inches wide (including handle and spout). It holds about 1 quart of liquid. The smaller pitcher is five-sided, measuring approximately 3-1/4 inches height and 5 inches width. The five-sided covered bowl measures about 4 inches width by 4 inches height, plus an additional inch for the lid and its handle.

CONDITION The glaze on all three pieces is in excellent-to-impeccable condition, with no surface cracking or crazing. The large pitcher appears undamaged from use. The small pitcher was broken many years ago and professionally restored with excellent technique. The rim of the covered bowl has a chip broken out. The chip is attached to the bowl with cellophane tape; one small portion of the chopped piece is mission. See the attached photos for details of these issues.

SHIPPING Seller will ship to US customers only by USPS Mail. The set will be well packed and insured for full value. Buyer will be charged actual shipping cost based on shipment of a 5 pound box with dimensions of 12 x 12 x 12 from ZIP 91106.