Stories & Knowledge
Stories & Knowledge is the place where collecting meets history. Explore articles about antiques, vintage treasures, collectibles, craftsmanship, symbolism, historical periods and the stories behind remarkable objects. Whether you are an experienced collector, a curious beginner or simply fascinated by the past, you will find practical guides, collecting advice, historical insights and discoveries from Europe's historic crossroads. From antique clocks and vintage collectibles to folk art, military history, symbolism and hidden treasures, our goal is to help preserve, understand and share the stories that make these objects truly special.
Antique & Collector's Glossary
The Antique & Collector's Glossary is designed to help collectors, antique enthusiasts and curious readers…
View (93)Antique Appraisal
Understanding the value of an antique involves much more than age alone. Antique Appraisal explores…
View (9)Antique Guides
Discover expert antique guides covering porcelain, silver, furniture, watches, books, military antiques, restoration, hallmarks, collecting…
View (10)Folk Art & Traditions
Explore traditional folk art, historic textiles, embroidery, bridal trousseaux, symbolism, customs and handmade objects from…
View (7)Military Memories
Personal stories from Europe's Historic Crossroads. Discover authentic military antiques, letters, photographs, medals, documents and…
View (4)Restoration & Conservation
Restoration & Conservation explores the methods, principles and best practices used to preserve antiques, vintage…
View (20)Stories Behind Objects
Every antique has a story. Some objects travelled across countries and empires. Some witnessed historical…
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Heinrich & Co. Selb Bavaria Porcelain: Marks, Dating, Patterns, Gemmo & Value
German Porcelain · Bavaria · Selb · Factory Marks · Dating · Gemmo · Collecting Last Updated: October 8, 2026 | By The Old Antiquarian Quick Answer Heinrich & Co. Selb Bavaria was a major German porcelain manufacturer associated with the town of Selb in Bavaria, Germany. Franz Heinrich established the business in 1896 as a porcelain decorating workshop. The company developed its own porcelain manufacturing operations in 1901–1902. Heinrich porcelain can carry factory marks such as H Co Selb, H&C Selb Bavaria, H & Co Bavaria, Heinrich Germany, Heinrich W. Germany and later inscriptions associated with Villeroy & Boch. The company became part of Villeroy & Boch in 1976.…
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Royal Tettau & Royal Bayreuth: Marks, Dating, Patterns & Value
German Porcelain · Bavaria · Tettau · Royal Bayreuth · Royal Tettau · Marks · Figurals Last Updated: October 8, 2026 | The Old Antiquarian Quick Answer Royal Bayreuth and Royal Tettau belong to the long porcelain history of Tettau, Bavaria, where the royal-privileged manufactory was established in 1794. Royal Bayreuth became the best-known collector name for many decorative, figural and novelty wares associated with Tettau, while Royal Tettau appears on later export marks. The date 1794 on a backstamp normally refers to the foundation of the factory—not the production date of the individual piece. Reliable identification combines the exact mark, porcelain body, form, decoration, pattern, production period, condition and…
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Bulgarian Kitenik: Identification, Value & Collector Guide
Bulgarian Folk Textiles · Wool Rugs · Identification · Value · Care Last Updated: October 2026 Quick Answer A Bulgarian kitenik is a traditional pile textile, commonly described in English as a tufted or shaggy wool rug. To identify an old kitenik properly, examine the wool pile, field, border, ornamentation, composition, reverse, edges, dimensions, wear, repairs and provenance. Pattern or colour alone is not enough to establish age, region or value. Collector interest depends on the relationship between construction, craftsmanship, rarity, condition, originality, provenance and current demand. The Bulgarian kitenik occupies an interesting position between traditional household textile, wool rug, decorative furnishing and collectible folk object. Its long or prominent…
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Johann Haviland Bavaria: Marks, Dating, Patterns & Value
German Porcelain · Bavaria · Waldershof · Johann Haviland · Marks · Dating · Patterns Last Updated: October 7, 2026 | The Old Antiquarian Johann Haviland Bavaria Porcelain Quick Answer Johann Haviland Bavaria porcelain is associated with the porcelain factory established at Waldershof, Bavaria, in 1907, with actual porcelain production beginning around 1910. The factory passed to Richard-Ginori in 1924 and was acquired by Rosenthal in 1937. Collectors encounter JHW monograms, John Haviland and Johann Haviland wording, crown marks, Bavaria and Germany designations and later commercial backstamps. Johann Haviland Bavaria is German porcelain and should not be confused with French Haviland Limoges. Reliable identification requires the mark, wording, porcelain body,…
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Bulgarian Kitenik Rug from the 1970s – History, Symbols & Weaving
THE OLD ANTIQUARIAN · ETHNOGRAPHIC TEXTILE STUDY Bulgarian Kitenik from the 1970s: History, Weaving, Symbols & Preservation A detailed study of a handwoven Bulgarian kitenik measuring approximately 200 × 145 cm (78.7 × 57.1 in), exploring its family history between Vidin and Byala, Ruse region, its construction, ornament, cultural meaning and responsible second life. Last Updated: October 2026 · The Old Antiquarian Quick Answer: What Is a Bulgarian Kitenik? A Bulgarian kitenik is a traditional woven household textile characterised, in many examples, by a raised or long-pile surface. The example studied here dates by family history to the 1970s and measures approximately 200 × 145 cm (78.7 × 57.1 in).…
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Norwegian Porcelain & Ceramics: Makers, Marks & Design
Norway · Porcelain · Ceramics · Faience · Flintware · Makers · Scandinavian Design Last Updated: October 6, 2026 | The Old Antiquarian Quick Answer Norwegian ceramic history includes much more than porcelain alone. Early makers such as Herrebøe Fajansefabrikk and Hans Nicolai Bruun produced tin-glazed faience in the 18th century; Egersunds Fayancefabrik became an important industrial ceramic manufacturer in the 19th century; Porsgrunds Porselænsfabrik established Norway’s best-known historic porcelain tradition from the late 19th century; and Figgjo and Stavangerflint became major names in 20th-century Norwegian and Scandinavian design. Correct identification begins by establishing the material before studying the maker, mark, form, decoration, designer and period. Norwegian Ceramics at a…
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Porsgrund Porcelain: Marks, Dating, Patterns & Value
Norwegian Porcelain · Porsgrund · Marks · Dating · Patterns · Designers · Value Last Updated: October 6, 2026 | The Old Antiquarian Quick Answer Porsgrunds Porselænsfabrik is one of Norway’s most important porcelain manufacturers. Established in Porsgrunn in 1885, the factory completed its first firing in 1887 and has produced dinnerware, vases, decorative porcelain and design objects ever since. Collectors can often narrow the production period by studying the exact anchor mark, the spelling PORSGRUND or PORSGRUNN, wording such as NORGE or NORWAY, decoration or model numbers, form, pattern and designer. Early blue-anchor pieces, later green-anchor marks, historic patterns such as Bogstad Strå, and documented designs by Nora Gulbrandsen,…
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Delft Blue & Delftware: Marks, Royal Delft, Dating & Value
Dutch Ceramics · Delft Blue · Delftware · Royal Delft · Marks · Dating · Value Last Updated: October 5, 2026 | The Old Antiquarian Quick Answer Traditional antique Delftware is generally tin-glazed earthenware rather than porcelain. Historic Dutch Delftware was produced in Delft roughly between 1620 and 1850 and is famous for blue-and-white decoration inspired partly by imported Asian porcelain, although genuine Delftware can also be polychrome, white, black or otherwise decorated. Some pieces bear factory or owner marks, while many genuine objects are unmarked. Royal Delft / De Porceleyne Fles is the surviving historic Delft factory and has used a documented year-code system on hand-painted production since 1879.…
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R.S. Prussia Porcelain: Marks, Dating, Fakes & Value
German Porcelain · Prussia · Reinhold Schlegelmilch · Marks · Authentication Last Updated: October 2, 2026 | The Old Antiquarian Quick Answer R.S. Prussia is the collector term most commonly associated with porcelain produced by the Reinhold Schlegelmilch factory enterprise, especially the highly decorative export wares made around the turn of the twentieth century. The best-known backstamps include R.S. Prussia wreath-and-star marks, but collectors also encounter R.S. Germany, Suhl, Tillowitz and later related wording. Genuine pieces may also be completely unmarked. Reliable identification therefore requires the mark, mold, porcelain body, form, decoration, transfer quality, condition and documented historical comparisons to agree. R.S. Prussia historical marks and backstamps orientation sheet. Historical…
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Schumann Arzberg Porcelain: Marks, Bavaria, Dating & Value
German Porcelain · Bavaria · Marks · Dating · Patterns Last Updated: October 1, 2026 | The Old Antiquarian Quick Answer Schumann Arzberg porcelain was produced in Arzberg, Bavaria, by the factory line that began as Schumann & Riess in 1881 and became associated with Carl Schumann from 1892. Collectors may encounter backstamps containing Schumann, Bavaria, Arzberg, Germany, U.S. Zone, W.-Germany, crowns, lion shields, signatures, pattern names and additional numbers. “Bavaria” usually identifies the geographic region, not a separate maker or pattern. Reliable identification and dating require the exact mark to agree with the porcelain body, form, decoration, pattern, country wording, numbers, condition and documented historical examples. Schumann Bavaria porcelain…
