Preliminary identification

Union Porcelain Works 'Rose Finial' Tea Set, c. 1920s

Photo reference

2 uploaded photos

Overview

A charming three-piece porcelain tea service featuring an angular, octagonal Art Deco form accented with vibrant green banding and delicate floral sprays. The crowning glory is the hand-applied, dimensional pink rosebud finials that serve as handles for the lids.

Story

Born in the wake of WWI, this set hails from the brief, golden era of the First Czechoslovak Republic. These pieces were crafted in the historic Sudetenland, a region famed for its high-quality kaolin and master porcelain artisans.

Maker / Origin

The 'Union' mark (Klášterec nad Ohří) represents a consortium of Bohemian factories that merged to compete globally after the fall of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. They specialized in combining traditional floral motifs with the bold, geometric shapes favored by the rising Art Deco movement.

Condition & Value

The porcelain appears bright with no visible cracks; however, the rose finials are prone to tiny 'flea bite' chips on the petal edges. The green banding shows minor shelf wear consistent with age. Condition is good and supports the mid-range value.

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Sold comps, value drivers, and venue guidance pulled from recent auction results.

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Market Analysis

Comparable demand stays strongest where maker, originality, and venue confidence line up. Broader examples still trade, but the range tightens quickly when provenance, condition, or selling lane fit is missing.

Value Drivers

  • Strong maker attribution with credible period details
  • Better-than-average condition for the category
  • Broader demand rises when presentation and finish feel intact

Concerns

  • Decorative-only demand limits the ceiling
  • Surface wear or missing provenance can compress the range fast
  • Regional sale lanes often underperform specialist venues

Best Venue

Specialty auction or a focused dealer with buyers already in this lane.

Comparable Sales

5 comps
Regional auction· Jun 2024
$1,280

Signed example with light edge wear and original frame.

Dealer archive· Mar 2024
$1,450

Comparable format with stronger provenance and cleaner surface.

Marketplace sale· Jan 2024
$980

Smaller related piece with visible craquelure and trimmed margins.

Estate platform· Oct 2023
$1,150

Period match with softer condition and weaker subject matter.

Auction result· Aug 2023
$1,375

Close market lane comp with similar material and presentation.