OLD IVORY; ENDANGERED SPECIES

 

 

Written and photographed by June Grayson 

 

 

 

 

 

Pity the poor Old Ivory collectors. The latest resolutions prohibiting the importation of ivory in order to protect the endangered elephants around the globe won't help them. The Old Ivory that they collect, like a beautiful but short-lived shooting star, came out of Europe for only a few years around the turn of the last century, and then disappeared into some fortunate American homes, only to be seen again when the owners gave up housekeeping. 

The antiques and collectibles price guides are no help. They all say, in very prosaic language, that old Ivory china was produced in Silesia, Germany in the late 1800's and derives its name from the background color of the china. In addition, perhaps they will mention that Hermann Ohme was the founder. 

But who was Hermann Ohme and why did his porcelain factory flourish so briefly and then disappear? No collector has come forward to write a book for other collectors, thus preserving what is known for all time. Instead, Old Ivory china remains a mystery wrapped in an enigma and ardent collectors are left to trade hearsay and impressions by word of mouth. 

Virginia and Ralph Wantland, long-time collectors of Old Ivory and antique dealers from Urbana, Illinois, introduced many novice midwestern collectors to the joy of collecting Old Ivory. 

According to a letter I received from Mr. Wantland, detailing his own research into the origins of Old Ivory, "... Old Ivory chinaware was manufactured by a Hermann Ohme at his porcelain factory located in Niedersalzbrunn, Schlesien (Silesia). At that time Silesia was a province of Prussia, which was one of the German states. Niedersalzbrunn is now known as Szczawienko, Poland. He operated a branch factory in Waldenburg. Ohme made household and hotel dishes. His factory was known as PORZELLANMANUFAKTUR HERMANN OHME (Porcelain Manufactory of Hermann Ohme). 

"Verification of the above may be found in a handbook of European porcelain by Ludwig Danckert, i.e., Danckert, Ludwig, HANDBUCH DES EUROPAISCHEN, Munchen, Prestel Verlag, 1954. (This book was first published in 1912). The reference reads:Niedersalzbrunn (Deutschland, Schlesien), Hermann Ohme, Porzellanfabrik, gegrudet 1882; Produktionsprogramm: Haushalts und Hotelgesschirr. Das Unternehmen besteht nicht mehr. 

Mr. Wantland's letter continues: "The English translation of the above is: Lower Salzbrun, Germany, Silesia. Hermann Ohme, porcelain manufacturer, established 1882; production program in household and hotel dishes. The establishment is no longer in being."  

It is not known if Ohme established the factory as a new enterprise or took over another plant in 1882. However, it is known that he operated the plant for 17 years until he went bankrupt in 1899 and left the business. 

Additional owners operated the factory until 1932 until it disappeared forever. Experts say that they can distinguish the china made after 1899 because of a slight and subtle difference in the color, not usually discernible to the untrained eye. 

Old Ivory was produced in dinnerware sets, with varied sizes of plates, bowls, serving pieces, and cups and saucers (found in demitasse, chocolate, small tea, regular tea, and coffee serving sizes). Serving dishes such as vegetable and fruit bowls, soup tureens, bone dishes, butter pats, waste bowls, mustard pots, relish dishes, and toothpick holders can also be found. Coffee and tea pots, cracker jars, water pitchers, milk pitchers, and spoon holders tempt avid collectors. Dresser sets were also made. Not all pieces were made in all patterns.  

So far as we know, none of the patterns had names. Instead, patterns were identified by numbers - the earliest pattern known as #4 and the latest #204, with more than 60 patterns identified  

in between. All patterns seem to have a lot in common, using transfer prints of floral designs, fruit, and acorns, overlaid with applied designs of white paint. The rose is the most common flower in the designs. Soft browns, tans, and greens are the most common colors. Some patterns are decorated with a delicate gold filigree.  

The two most common patterns are #16 and #84. They are also very similar, so they can be used together for a table setting. Pieces in the three holly patterns - #17, #22, and #62 - are priced at 150% of the price for the other patterns. The #17 pattern has tulips and forget-me-nots. The #12 pattern has pink and red roses.  

The reason that the patterns all seem so similar is that in spite of the fact that over 60 patterns have been documented, all of these patterns make use of one of about five border patterns, and the two most common of these appear the most - the Clarion border and the Eglantine border.  

Fortunately for collectors, most pieces have one or more backmarks. My squatty cracker jar, pattern #84, has four: OLD IVORY and 84 in red, a blue crown and fleur-de-lis with SILESIA written under it, a green OHME and Silesia with a crown and fleur-de-lis all outlined in red, and a brown artistic scrawl, probably the initials of the decorator - all under the glaze. 

According to a New Jersey collector, factories in central Europe at that time had an unwritten code of ethics: they did not copy another factory's patterns. However, an Iowa collector states that he has found Old Ivory backmarks with names such as Elysee and LaTouraine, convincing him that other factories did indeed produce Old Ivory. 

Old Ivory was imported into the United States through the seaports of Portland, Maine; Boston, Mass.; and New Orleans, La. 

According to an Aurora, Illinois, antique dealer, sets of Old Ivory dinnerware were popular wedding presents in Aurora around the turn of the century, and upscale department stores were the retailers.  

That is why Old Ivory tends to be found for resale in the same areas that they were originally sold by large department stores. Much Old Ivory has been found in Iowa, perhaps because it was sold by a Des Moines, Iowa, department store. Collectors typically have found much Old Ivory in the New England states, especially Maine, the continuing legacy from the Portland and Boston seaports. Two known importers of record were Loring, Short & Harmon of Portland, Maine, and Grayson & Sons of Boston, Mass.  

Mr. Wantland further states in his letter, "I believe that Old Ivory was made specifically for sale in the United States or England since the inscription, OLD IVORY, is in English, not in German, as it would be if offered for sale in its homeland. Also the royal Silesia crown mark uses the English spelling of Schlesien, perhaps an Anglicized version of the royal trademark." 

In attempts to secure more information about the origins of 

Hermann Ohme and Old Ivory porcelain, Mr. Wantland has corresponded with the West German Antique Dealers Assn., the German Consulate, the German patent office, and a Dr. Heuser from Oldendorf, Germany, an authority on German antique wares. None of them had ever heard of Old Ivory chinaware! Perhaps it will prove impossible to find out anything more about this incredibly fine china. 

As the number of serious Old Ivory collectors have multiplied, prices have increased proportionately so that you are not apt to find any bargains in Old Ivory. Dinner plates can now sell for $150 each, a seven piece chocolate set may bring $750, and cracker jars $325. Although there are no detailed references books available so far, perhaps some driven collector will write a book one day. In the meantime, Pat Fitzwater, POB 1004, Wilsonville, Oregon 97070, has just written the second issue of the OLD IVORY NEWSLETTER, as a vehicle for sharing information. She will send you a copy if you send her a stamped, self-addressed long envelope. 

 

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