MZ Austria: Moritz Zdekauer Porcelain
MZ Austria refers to porcelain produced by the Moritz Zdekauer factory in Altrohlau, Bohemia (now Stara Role, Czech Republic), operating from 1884 to 1945. The factory produced high-quality tableware and decorative porcelain primarily for export to American and European markets. MZ Austria pieces are recognized for their fine white porcelain body, elegant transfer-printed and hand-painted decorations, and consistent quality that rivaled better-known Bavarian and Austrian makers.
Marks & Identification
The primary mark features the initials "MZ" with "Austria" beneath, often enclosed in a wreath or shield. Variations include:
- Green underglaze mark: "MZ Austria" in a wreath, used from 1884-1909
- Red or blue overglaze marks: Often indicate decorated blanks sold to independent decorating studios
- "Altrohlau" mark: Used alongside or instead of "MZ" in some periods
- Royal Vienna style marks: Some pieces carry beehive-type marks indicating higher-end production lines
After 1918 and the dissolution of Austria-Hungary, marks shifted to include "Czechoslovakia" or "Made in Czechoslovakia." In 1945, the factory was nationalized and eventually merged into the Duchcov porcelain combine.
Types & Styles
- Tableware: Dinner services, tea sets, chocolate pots, and serving pieces with floral transfer patterns and gilt borders
- Decorative pieces: Vases, portrait plates, cabinet plates with hand-painted scenes
- Blanks: Undecorated or lightly decorated pieces sold to American china-painting studios
- Art Nouveau designs: Pieces from 1900-1910 with flowing organic motifs and matte glazes
Auction Price Ranges
| Item | Low | Mid | High |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dinner plate (floral transfer) | $10 | $25 | $60 |
| Chocolate pot with lid | $40 | $100 | $250 |
| Portrait plate (hand-painted) | $75 | $200 | $500 |
| Complete tea service (6-piece) | $100 | $300 | $700 |
| Art Nouveau vase | $80 | $200 | $450 |
| Large decorative charger | $60 | $150 | $400 |
Condition Factors
- Gilt wear is the most common issue and significantly affects value on heavily gilded pieces
- Hairline cracks in teapots and chocolate pots reduce value by 50-70%
- Check for professionally restored chips, especially on plate rims and cup handles
- Transfer decoration in sharp focus with vivid colors indicates better-preserved examples
- Blanks decorated by known American artists (Pickard, Stouffer) can be worth more than factory-decorated pieces
Collecting Tips
- MZ Austria remains undervalued compared to similar-quality German and French porcelain, offering good entry points for new collectors
- Focus on chocolate sets and cabinet plates, which have the strongest collector following
- Pieces marked "Altrohlau CMR" are from the later nationalized period and generally less collected
- Art Nouveau period pieces (1900-1910) command the strongest premiums
- American-decorated blanks should be evaluated based on both the quality of the blank and the skill of the decoration