Paul Muller Selb Bavaria The Norfolk Pattern Celery Dish Appraisal

Paul Müller Selb Bavaria 'The Norfolk' Pattern Celery Dish

This is a vintage oblong porcelain serving dish, commonly known as a celery dish, produced by the Paul Müller porcelain factory in Selb, Bavaria. Based on the provided context, it features 'The Norfolk' floral pattern. The item showcases a shallow, elongated body with a scalloped edge and integrated pierced handles that are heavily gilded with gold leaf. The porcelain paste is a clean, bright white with a glazed finish. The decorative motif consists of a continuous garland of multi-colored wildflowers—including pink roses, blue forget-me-nots, and purple asters—surround by green foliage. This floral border is framed by a delicate green and gold geometric trim near the rim. The handles are fully gold-washed, showing characteristic Art Nouveau or early Art Deco styling likely dating the piece to the early 20th century (circa 1910-1928). The craftsmanship is characteristic of high-quality German export porcelain from the Selb region, known for its fine bone-like translucency and durable glaze. Condition appears excellent with no visible chips or cracks, though there is minor surface wear and faint 'flea bites' consistent with age. The gold on the handles appears largely intact with minor thinning at the high-contact points.