Vienna Austria Vase

Q: I inherited this porcelain vase from my mother-in-law, but I know nothing about it. It’s about 13 inches tall and the base is about 4 inches wide. It is marked with a green crown with two shields.  It’s signed, “M. Reiszmen, 1905.” Is this the artist? Can you provide any information about its history and possible value?

A: This green crown with two shields mark was used by four importers in New York City: P.H. Leonard (from about 1885 until 1898), Bawo & Dotter (1864 to about 1914), Charles L. Dwenger (before 1895 until after 1917), and Paul Staub (1915 until 1970). The mark was owned by Count Thun’s porcelain factory and used on Vienna porcelain. The factory started in Klosterle, Bohemia (now Klasterec, Czech Republic) in 1819 and is now operating as Thun Karlovarsky. Hand painting porcelain blanks was a popular hobby in United States in the early decades of the 20th century. The signature on your vase is likely the name of the amateur artist who decorated the vase. Vases similar to yours have recently sold for $50 to $120.