Goldscheider: Viennese Art Ceramics & Figurines
Goldscheider was a prestigious Viennese ceramics manufactory founded by Friedrich Goldscheider in 1885, renowned for its Art Nouveau and Art Deco figurines, wall masks, and decorative ceramics. The company produced some of the finest and most dramatic ceramic figures of the early 20th century, with Art Deco dancer figurines by designers like Josef Lorenzl, Stefan Dakon, and Claire Weiss now commanding exceptional prices. Goldscheider represents the peak of Viennese decorative ceramic artistry.
History & Key Dates
- 1885: Friedrich Goldscheider founds the factory in Vienna, Austria
- 1890s-1910s: Production of terracotta busts, figures, and decorative objects in Art Nouveau style
- 1920s-1930s: Golden age of Art Deco figurines; factory employs top designers and reaches peak output
- 1938: Goldscheider family (Jewish) forced to flee Austria during Nazi annexation; factory confiscated
- 1938-1945: Factory operates under different management during wartime
- 1940s-1950s: Marcel Goldscheider establishes production in Staffordshire, England (Goldscheider-Myott)
- 1950s: Limited production resumes in Vienna; quality declines from prewar standards
- 1960s: Vienna factory closes permanently
Identification & Marks
- Early Vienna mark: "Goldscheider Wien" impressed or stamped, often with model numbers
- Interwar mark: Printed or stamped "Goldscheider Wien, Made in Austria" with model and designer numbers
- English mark: "Goldscheider Made in England" on Staffordshire production
- Model numbers: Four-digit numbers identify specific designs; essential for catalog cross-referencing
- Designer signatures: Many pieces carry the incised or painted signature of the designer
Major Designers
| Designer | Period | Specialty |
|---|---|---|
| Josef Lorenzl | 1920s-1930s | Elongated Art Deco dancers, butterfly girls |
| Stefan Dakon | 1930s | Dramatic draped figures, exotic dancers |
| Claire Weiss | 1930s | Stylized female figures, character studies |
| Wilhelm Thomasch | 1930s | Character figures, genre scenes |
| Karl Perl | 1920s | Terracotta busts, portrait heads |
Auction Price Ranges
| Item | Low | Mid | High |
|---|---|---|---|
| Art Deco dancer figurine (Lorenzl) | $1,000 | $5,000 | $25,000 |
| Art Deco dancer figurine (Dakon) | $800 | $3,500 | $20,000 |
| Wall mask, Art Deco | $200 | $800 | $4,000 |
| Art Nouveau terracotta bust | $300 | $1,500 | $8,000 |
| Character figure (Thomasch) | $200 | $800 | $3,000 |
| English production figurine | $75 | $300 | $1,200 |
| Standard decorative piece | $50 | $200 | $800 |
Condition Factors
- Finger and hand damage: Delicate extremities on figurines are frequently chipped or broken; repairs significantly reduce value
- Paint and glaze condition: Original cold-painted decoration on terracotta pieces is fragile; flaking or repainting reduces value dramatically
- Restoration: Professional restorations are common; UV light reveals most repairs
- Size: Larger figurines (14"+ tall) command substantial premiums over smaller versions
- Base integrity: Chips or cracks to the integral base affect display quality and value
Collecting Tips
- Art Deco dancer figurines by Lorenzl and Dakon are the most sought-after and valuable Goldscheider products
- Wall masks are a popular and more affordable collecting niche; rarer designs with unusual glazes bring strong prices
- Beware of reproductions; some Art Deco figurines have been recast from original molds or created as forgeries
- Viennese production consistently outvalues English Staffordshire production
- Cross-reference model numbers with published catalogs (Goldscheider reference by Robert Dechant is authoritative)
- Condition is critical at the high end; a perfect example may bring ten times what a damaged one achieves
- Wall masks with original color and detailing intact are increasingly scarce and have appreciated strongly in recent years