Heinrich & Co. Selb Bavaria Golden Pitcher with Berry Motif (1930s)

We believe this beautiful gold encrusted Heinrich & Co. Selb, Bavaria large Pitcher was created between 1900 and 1925 according to the mark books we have researched. The H on this mark refers to Heinrich which was once part of Villeroy and Heinrich. Heinrich & Co. of Selb, Bavaria started manufacturing in 1903.

The Fruit / Berry motif was handprinted by the J. H. Stouffer Studios in Chicago. Stouffer, a competitor to Packard, was a preeminent China decorator most active between 1900 and 1925. Jacob H. Stouffer was born in Adeline, Illinois, in 1866 and first appeared in Chicago in 1892. In 1902 he went into business for himself as the J. H. Stouffer Co., China and Glass Wholesalers. In 1905 he opened his first china decorating studio at 3000 Lake Park Avenue in Chicago.

Stouffer's hand-painted china appears to have spanned approximately 15 or 20 years, from 1905 to 1920-25, during which time the company employed some of the best decorators in the business. A number of Stouffer artists also worked for Pickard China and Brauer Studio at one time or another. Jacob died at age 46 in 1912 and his wife Marietta (Mary D. Stouffer) became president, followed by Finlay Drummond in 1915. The company relocated to several Chicago addresses as it continued in business throughout the Great Depression and World War II, and finally ceased operations in 1952.

The pitcher is in beautiful shape and does not appear to have been used on a regular basis. It is about 14 inches high and 5 inches across. The finishing is in mint condition. The artist's name if hard to read... it appears t be Cosgold or some variant of an initial and a last name.