Set Of 5 Antique ROYAL AUSTRIA O & EG Floral & Gold Encrusted Display Plates

Description

Set of 5 Antique ROYAL AUSTRIA O&EG Floral & Gold Encrusted Display Plates. Handpainted and signed, these beautiful porcelain plates display a thistle design with gold gilt raised enameling throughout the flowers and heavy gold gilt borders. There are no cracks, no chips, no repairs, and no utensil marks on any of the 5 plates (except a small chip on the raised underside of 1 plate - see photo). The plates bear the marking of O&EG, Oscar, and Edgar Gutherz. The hallmark is printed in green with the word 'Royal' inside the wreath, the word 'Austria' below the wreath, and the initials 'O&EG' above the wreath. This hallmark was used by Oscar and Edgar Gutherz of Altrolau, Bohemia from 1899 to 1918. Each plate measures approximately 7 1/2” in diameter.
History: Oscar Gutherz started a porcelain decorating business in Altrolau in 1884, using financial backing from the American importer Lazarus Straus & Sons. The company subsequently expanded into porcelain production. In 1898, Oscar's brother, Edgar Gutherz, bought out Marx and joined Oscar in the business, which became known as the Oscar & Edgar Gutherz (O. & E.G.) Royal Austria Factory. In 1918 the Royal Austria Factory ceased to be; instead, it became part of OEPIAG, the Austrian Porcelain Industry.