Old Ivory: Silesian Porcelain Dinnerware by Ohme

Old Ivory is a line of fine porcelain dinnerware produced by the Hermann Ohme factory in Niedersalzbrunn, Silesia (now Szczawienko, Poland), from approximately 1882 to 1928. The name derives from the warm, creamy ivory-toned porcelain body that distinguishes these pieces from the stark white porcelain of most competitors. Old Ivory patterns feature delicate floral decorations -- roses, violets, thistles, and wildflowers -- rendered in soft pastel colors with gold trim, creating an elegant, understated aesthetic that has attracted dedicated collectors for decades.

Identification & Marks

• Ohme marks: Pieces carry various impressed or printed marks including "Ohme," "Old Ivory," crown symbols, and "Silesia"
• Pattern numbers: Each decoration is assigned a Roman numeral (I through LXXXIV and beyond); pattern identification is essential for collectors
• "Old Ivory" stamp: Many pieces carry this specific designation, sometimes with the pattern number
• Silesia mark: "Silesia" appears on pieces exported during the period when the region was part of Germany
• Blank variations: The same pattern may appear on different blank shapes (plate forms, cup styles), adding complexity to collecting

Types & Patterns

• Most collected patterns: No. XVI (Thistle), No. XV (roses with blue border), No. LXXV (roses with elaborate gold)
• Tableware forms: Dinner plates, salad plates, bread plates, soup bowls, cups and saucers, platters, vegetable dishes, berry sets, chocolate sets
• Serving pieces: Cake plates, celery trays, relish dishes, cracker jars, sugar and creamers
• Unusual forms: Chocolate pots, demitasse sets, biscuit jars, salt dips, and individual butter pats
• Clairon and Empire shapes: Different blank molds used for the same pattern decorations

Auction Price Ranges

Condition Factors

• Gold trim wear is the most common condition issue; pieces retaining bright, intact gilding are significantly more valuable
• The ivory-toned porcelain shows staining more readily than white porcelain; light browning from use is expected
• Hairline cracks reduce value by 40-60%; check by holding pieces to light
• Crazing in the glaze is uncommon on Ohme porcelain and indicates a problem
• Pattern clarity matters: sharp, well-defined floral transfers bring more than faded or worn examples

Collecting Tips

• Pattern identification is the foundation of Old Ivory collecting; Alma Hillman's reference book documents patterns and forms comprehensively
• Some patterns are significantly rarer than others; common patterns in unusual forms can be more valuable than rare patterns in common forms
• Complete or near-complete dinner services are exceptionally rare and bring strong premiums
• Chocolate sets (pot, cups, saucers, and tray) are among the most desirable forms
• The factory's closure in 1928 means supply is finite; prices have been steadily rising for scarce patterns
• Online collector groups maintain pattern registries and facilitate trading of duplicate pieces