Lusterware Ship Plate

German Lusterware Ship Plate — a dramatic and romanticized representation of maritime history captured in glowing porcelain. This plate showcases a classic tall ship sailing on calm seas beneath a golden-to-pink iridescent sky, achieved through advanced luster glazing techniques pioneered in Germany in the early 20th century.

The metallic glaze, achieved through application of a thin film of metal oxides, gives the piece a dreamlike quality, enhancing the sepia-toned ship transfer at its center. Nautical themes were especially popular during the interwar period, reflecting both national pride and a longing for exploration.

This plate exemplifies the fusion of mass production and artistry typical of the German lusterware tradition — making it ideal for vintage decorative plate collectors or nautical enthusiasts.

The maker’s mark on the back is indicative of decorator, Otto Grunert Company (OG), and fits their artistic style during this time. Like other decorating studios of the period, Otto Grunert did not manufacture its own porcelain blanks. It sourced undecorated porcelain from various German and possibly Austro-Hungarian manufacturers. This was a common practice, as it allowed decorators to focus on the artistry and finishing of the pieces. The studio was based in Thuringia, a German region with a long and rich history of porcelain manufacturing. This location put Grunert in proximity to numerous blank manufacturers, allowing them to source quality porcelain easily. The time frame for their operation and use of this particular mark shown on the back aligns with roughly 1910-1930.