Mix & Match Set Gentian Collection Plankenhammer Floss x Seltmann Weiden x Joseph Rieber  x Johann Haviland (Germany, 1940s)

It doesn’t happen very often to find pieces from the same collection, but made by different producers across different decades, and it has been beyond wonderful to be able to put together this little set composed out of a teapot, two serving plates, two saucer (small plates), one sugar bowl, one creamer/milk jug, one teacup and one ashtray.

All pieces were produced during 1940, early 1950s and they are iconic for the fascination throughout history with the Gentian flower, featuring some colloidal gold details that remind of the elegance of those eras.

The Gentian flower caries some symbolism, standing for victory, justice and determination, being also called “the flower of victory” due to its upward flowing shape. In ancient times, gentians were oftentimes associated with nobility and righteousness and they were used in ceremonies and as decorations to convey these virtues.

Besides its symbolism, the Gentian is the prefectural flower of Japan`s Kumamoto and Nagano cities and since 1926 the fringed Gentian has been the official flower of the Yellowstone National Park.

Gentians have also found their place in poems and novels and I remember seeing D.H. Lawrence's statue holding a blue Gentian while I was at uni (University of Nottingham) - he was very fond of the flower and actually wrote a poem about it.

 

Bavarian Gentians

Bavarian gentians, big and dark, only dark
darkening the daytime torchlike with the smoking blueness of Pluto's gloom,
ribbed and torchlike, with their blaze of darkness spread blue
down flattening into points, flattened under the sweep of white day
torch-flower of the blue-smoking darkness, Pluto's dark-blue daze,
black lamps from the halls of Dis, burning dark blue,
giving off darkness, blue darkness, as Demeter's pale lamps give off light,
lead me then, lead me the way.

Reach me a gentian, give me a torch
let me guide myself with the blue, forked torch of this flower
down the darker and darker stairs, where blue is darkened on blueness.
even where Persephone goes, just now, from the frosted September
to the sightless realm where darkness was awake upon the dark
and Persephone herself is but a voice
or a darkness invisible enfolded in the deeper dark
of the arms Plutonic, and pierced with the passion of dense gloom,
among the splendor of torches of darkness, shedding darkness on the
lost bride and groom.

 

Product specifications

Country of manufacture — Germany

Condition —Excellent — This vintage/antique piece is in near original condition. It may show minimal traces of use.

Restoration and Damage Details — Patina consistent with age and use.

Material — Porcelain

Size — Teapot H 16 cm x L 18 cm x l 10 cm

Sugar bowl  H 7 cm x L 12 cm x l 8 cm

Creamer  H 6 cm x L 10 cm x l 7 cm

Plate Ø 19 cm;

Saucer Ø 13 cm small

Cup Ø 9 cm x H 5 cm

Ashtray L 10 cm x l 10 cm