Dating Villeroy Boch China
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Thor Peter (admin) says:- Actually, when you study the Villeroy & Boch marks, of this type (Mercury), they vary quite a lot. In other words there are several different versions.
I have never actually seen this one before, but remember, they had their head office in Dresden for a long period - and the Saar region was seeded to France after the war, then voted itself back into Germany in 1957. So lots of confusion there for poor old V & B, one of the oldest surviving a very best firms ever to grace planet earth (in my humble opinion). This style of V&B porcelain mark is commonly known as the 'Mercury mark' (after the God Mercury who is normally shown with a winged cap, a staff with snakes entwined, a banner with the words Villeroy & Boch and a circular mark denoting the factory name). This mark was in green as standard, but also stamped in blue and black. V & B are known for marking their wares with characteristic German efficiency and precision.
However, there are many variations, as I say and not all are fully understood or cataloged. The big picture is that of faking. I can't see any reason why someone would particularly want to go to the trouble of wanting to fake a V & B mark on such a standard plate and pattern. Not that it's not very nice (very art nouveau looking), but it's not as if it's a an imperial vase from the Ming court. What would anyone seek to gain from this type of faking?
It is the fodder of ordinary supply distribution, not a 'valuable' item as such. Don't get me wrong, Villeroy & Boch are renowned for their award winning initiatives in design and quality of make, being the standard-bearers for forward thinking businesses for the past 200 years or so. And I am not saying V&B services are not worth good money at auction, but I can't see any particular commercial advantage to faking a plate of this bulk standard nature. However, I am always open to be re-educated by someone who knows about the infamous fake V & B trade. For more information on the history of V&B marks go to pm&m.com on this page:- For valuation advice from a professional, go to this page:- Comments for A Real or Fake Villeroy & Boch Pottery Mark? Villeroy and Boch Dresden by: Sandy Bernard Your Mercury Mark is dated 1874 to 1909. This is a valuable plate because of its scarsity!
We English bombed the factory into the ground in 1945. Sadly,all of the rcords were lost in the devastation. My husband is German and has been trying to research a 68 piece dinner service that I have.
He has offered to look for the pattern name for you with the records office in Germany. If you would be kind enough to contact me at and send me some picturs of your plate we could then proceed, if you are in agreement. Sandy Peter (admin) says:- Many thanks for this very kind offer, Sandy. Please could you be so kind as to post any results and findings here on this site. Objectdock backgrounds. If you need any help doing so, just contact me at Many thanks again Peter (admin).
'Made in Germany' on Villeroy & Boch marks by: Peter (admin) Hi Just have to step in as moderator at this point. The last anonymous person to quote 'Wrong!' .with reference to the term 'made in Germany' not being used before 1935 I am not sure is correct. Firstly the comment was rather rude and abrupt - something not welcome in these forums.
Secondly, they left no name, so, again, anonymous comment is not welcome. Neither is blanket quotes with no references or citations to prove or back up what they are saying. Third, as I say, I'm not at all sure the statement is correct. I am no expert on Villeroy & Boch marks, so straight away I looked through my German marks book Rontgen's. We know that Rontgen isn't always 100% correct, but we'll cut him some slack due to the vast amount of useful material catalogued. He makes no mention of this 'made in Germany' date of 1935 for V&B Dresden output. I checked www.porcelainmarksandmore.com and straight away saw the use of the 'made in Germany' mark (at least on Mettlach wares) on a mark patented in 1913.
Dating Villeroy & Boch Pottery
This would make total sense as it would have been in accordance with the import laws of both the USA and UK of the time. There is no reason why the Dresden factory of V&B, which was acquired in 1856, would not have used the 'made in Germany' from the late 19th century also. As I say, I don't have any hard evidence of this, it's just common sense. I would have to see proof positive of this strange 1935 date to change my mind. If a commenter makes sweeping statement, please back it up with a bit of further detail or evidence or references, so we can all share in the knowledge. And please don't be anonymous when you make such a comment. Peter (admin).
Villeroy & Bock. Pottery Mark. May I but into this conversation, Please, as a Complete Novice.
I have in my possession A crescent Shaped dish Marked Villeroy & Bock. The mark Is very similar to the mercury mark shown with the exception of the lower writing.
The pattern on the dish Shows what i believe to be 8 cornflowers and 2 cornflowers in profile. The flowers are blue in color with pinkish centers. All of the flowers are joined by a scrolling set of leaves in green. The base has a small indentation on it, but because it is glazed, I think it may be a stilt mark from when it was fired.There is a slight amount of damage to the dish, but it still looks nice. Weymss Ware by: Neil Do people who are interested in VB Dresden know that Robert Heron from Kirkaldy in Fife, Scotland, brought six decorators back with him to his pottery (Robert Heron and Son)in and around 1882. He was visiting Dresden and noticed VB's white ware with fruit and leaves and also chickens on it with green banding on the rims and lured the decorators away to produce a very similar line in Kirkaldy.
The Scottish ware was supported by Lady Grosvenor and the company named it after her family castle at Wemyss, thus Wemyss ware came into existence. Karl Necola, a Bohemian, was the only one of the six to stay in Kirkaldy as he married in the town. The others returned to Germany after a short period. Does anyone know when the VB fruit and chicken decoration started in Dresden? I have one like yours by: Amy I have a rectangular bowl with the same mark, the only difference are the marked letters, I see only a G and I can see what seems to be the 'G' plus an 'E' or 'F'and a 'J' overlapped, the G and the J have the same depth, the E is not so deep., my pattern is all in blue and has some differences with yours, in the back it has 508 M in blue. At least we both have the same Mercury seal, I´m almost sure that this piece has been in my family since 1950, but if anyone else has some more information I also would appreciate it. Seeking help re V&B Dresden pitcher by: Suzanne I have a small (about 2.5' high) pottery pitcher, possibly earthenware, with a V&B Dresden Made in Germany mark on the bottom.
I haven't found a match to the mark; it has the Mercury crest but the band with DRESDEN in it on the bottom is plain (no embellishments on it above MADE IN GERMANY. It is sort of a cream color with three bands of blue stripes (3 stripes per band, close together) and about 1/2' between the bands. Bands are raised. Can anyone tell me anything about this piece and its value? Variations on the Dresden Villeroy & Boch Mercury backstamp mark by: Peter (admin) Hi all Not sure how Sandy got on with her research. It's been a while now and perhaps you might have some news, if still following here.
The strange thing to think is that the WW2 bombings are still effecting us so sharply today. There are very few definitive listings on this Dresden mark as to where, how and why it was used.
All official records gone. Unless Sandy can unearth more in her sleuthing.
Villeroy & Boch Dinnerware
So meantime, I got a query from a lovely museum in Fort Lauderdale Florida (the one place in the US I know quite well having friends there - spent July 4th on Miami Beech - quite an experience for a Brit!) Here's the query:- Hello Peter I am looking for some expertise. We are a small historic house museum and someone has offered a donation of a small Villeroy & Boch teapot. It is a pretty piece and would look very nice in a china cabinet but I want to make sure it is from our period before I accept it. I have researched the maker's mark as best I can, and it is similar to the stamp of 1874-1909, but in gold/brown colored text, and Dresden instead of Mettlach. Also, I have seen the pattern identified as Copenhagen but this teapot has a smooth surface instead of a ridged one.
Villeroy & Boch Outlet
Our house was built in 1901 and is the home of Fort Lauderdale founders Frank and Ivy Stranahan. Generally, we interpret the time period of 1900 to 1920, so if 1874 to 1909 is correct, it would fit in nicely. Anything much later would not. Would you be able to help me confirm the time period and pattern? I have attached two photos.
Thanks in advance for any advice you may have Deb Deb Wood / Records and Collections Manager Historic Stranahan House Museum 335 SE Sixth Avenue, Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33301 www.stranahanhouse.org My reply went like this:- Hi Deb Lovely! My understanding is this Dresden version of the mark is from 1874- 1909, so you are good. I have not come across any evidence to contradict this. Thanks for the enquiry. With your permission, I will add your pics to the thread. Best regards etc So, the pics I have on record are as follows.