Antique German Jugendstil Wächtersbach Attributed Ceramic & Pierced Brass Tray
Made in Germany c. 1905-1920.
Approximately 1 3/8" High x 16" Diameter.
Exceptional antique German Jugendstil / Darmstadt Secessionist serving tray, dating to the early 20th century and currently attributed to the Wächtersbacher Steingutfabrik on the basis of its construction, decorative technique, period design vocabulary, and close comparison with documented Wächtersbach ceramic-and-metal trays.
The geometric floral decoration also shows notable parallels with designs produced at Wächtersbach after Hans Christiansen (1866–1945).
The substantial round tray combines a glazed ceramic insert with an elaborate pierced brass/copper-alloy gallery and integral oval handles.
The metal surround is formed with a repeating tripartite openwork motif and finished with rolled edging around the gallery and handles, creating a particularly sophisticated Jugendstil presentation.
The ceramic decoration is especially interesting because it employs distinct decorative techniques. The large rose/plum/pink geometric areas are fired beneath the glaze and are smooth and integral with the glazed surface.
The orange, dark green and purple/burgundy details are separately applied above the glaze and can be both seen and felt at the surface.
This combination of geometric underglaze decoration with separately applied polychrome decoration is consistent with multi-stage decorative techniques documented on Wächtersbach art ceramics of the period.
The design is organized in strong fourfold symmetry around the center, with stylized geometric floral/rose forms, dark green foliate elements, ochre-orange linear accents and burgundy/purple square details. Its highly structured floral geometry is closely related in spirit to the Darmstadt Jugendstil design vocabulary associated with Hans Christiansen and other designers whose work was executed by Wächtersbach.
The reverse bears a hand-painted green “B.65.” notation, including the terminal period. Importantly, this green marking is applied above the glaze and matches the green used in the raised decoration on the front, suggesting that B.65. is connected with the secondary decorating process—possibly a decoration, decorator, workshop or production notation—rather than the ceramic form number.
The ceramic also bears faint impressed production marks. One is most likely “30”, together with another faint impression possibly reading “06” with a line beneath.
An impressed “30” is particularly noteworthy because a museum-documented Wächtersbach tray with a metal mount is likewise recorded with an impressed “30”; nevertheless, the number alone is not considered proof of manufacture.
Excellent antique condition. The ceramic insert has no chips, cracks or repairs. The metal surround retains its desirable aged surface with expected patina, oxidation, verdigris, spotting, surface wear and minor marks consistent with age and use. The metal has intentionally not been polished in order to preserve its period surface and potentially significant markings. One small ding where metal is close to center piece. Please review photographs for additional condition details.
