Altrohlau Porcelain

 

Q: This covered dish is part of a set of fine china my mother owned many years ago. I have 12 soup plates, 10 dinner plates, 12 butter plates, 11 dessert plates, 12 fruit plates, and several serving pieces. They are gold trimmed. What are they worth?

A: A pottery was founded at Altrohlau, Bohemia (now Stara Role, Czech Republic) in 1813. It went through several changes in ownership and name. Moritz Zdekauer, whose initials “MZ” are part of the mark, operated the pottery from 1884 to 1909. C.M. Hutschenreuther bought the factory in 1909 and the name became Altrohlau Porcelain Factories. The company operated under this name from 1909 until 1945, when it was nationalized. The MZ Altrohlau mark was used from 1918 to 1939. Carlsbad China was the name of a decorating shop and importer. Maria Theresia may be a pattern name. It’s difficult to sell sets of china, and since you’re missing a few pieces from what was a set for 12, the value is below $125.