Erphila: German and Czech Decorative Porcelain and Pottery

Erphila is the trade name used by the Ebeling & Reuss importing company of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, which distributed porcelain, pottery, and decorative wares manufactured in Germany and Czechoslovakia from the 1920s through the 1940s. The name "Erphila" derives from the phonetic sounds of the letters "R," "Ph," and "la" -- from Reuss, Philadelphia. Erphila-marked items include figural teapots, creamers, vases, figurines, and decorative accessories, many with charming Art Deco or folk art designs. Production ceased during World War II and was not resumed.

History and Importing Operation

Ebeling & Reuss was a Philadelphia-based import firm that contracted with various German and Czechoslovakian potteries to produce wares under the Erphila brand. The actual factories that made the pieces included operations in Thuringia, Bavaria, and the Bohemian regions of Czechoslovakia. The wares were designed to appeal to American tastes and were sold through department stores and gift shops. The company imported a wide variety of items, from utilitarian tableware to purely decorative novelties.

Types of Erphila Wares

• Figural teapots: Cat, dog, rooster, and human figure-form teapots; among the most collectible
• Creamers and sugar bowls: Often in figural animal or character forms
• Figurines: Human and animal figures in painted porcelain
• Vases: Decorated in floral, Art Deco, and traditional patterns
• Planters: Figural and decorative forms
• Dresser sets: Powder boxes, hair receivers, and perfume bottles
• Dinnerware: Some tableware patterns, though less common than decorative pieces

Identification and Marks

• Erphila mark: Typically a black or green stamp reading "Erphila" with "Germany" or "Czechoslovakia" below
• Variations: Some pieces stamped "Erphila Art Pottery" or "Erphila Czech" or "Erphila Germany"
• Mold numbers: Incised or painted numbers identify specific forms
• Quality range: Pieces range from fine porcelain to coarser earthenware, reflecting different source factories
• Pre-1939 origin: All genuine Erphila pieces date to the pre-WWII period

Auction Price Ranges

Condition Factors

• Paint wear: Many Erphila pieces have cold-painted (unfired) decoration that chips and wears; intact paint is essential
• Chips and cracks: Common on spouts, handles, and figure extremities
• Lids: Figural teapots must retain original lids; replacement lids rarely fit properly
• Crazing: Fine crazing is common on earthenware pieces and generally accepted
• Completeness: Sets (teapot with creamer and sugar) are worth more than individual pieces
• Country of origin: "Czechoslovakia" pieces are slightly less common than "Germany" pieces and sometimes bring a small premium

Collecting Tips

Erphila figural teapots are the cornerstone of this collecting category, with cat and character forms being the most desirable. The brand has a loyal collector following, and prices remain moderate compared to European porcelain from major factories. Because Ebeling & Reuss used multiple factories, quality varies -- the best pieces show fine porcelain bodies with detailed painting, while lesser examples are coarser. Erphila pairs well with other figural teapot collections and pre-war German/Czech import pottery. Watch for the occasional unmarked example that matches known Erphila forms but lacks the backstamp. The category is well-suited to collectors who enjoy the charm of mid-century decorative ceramics without the high prices of name-brand European porcelain.