Rosenthal Porcelain Plate (R.C. Louis XIV Pattern)

This item is a piece of fine porcelain tableware featuring a backstamp from the Rosenthal Porcelain Company, specifically the 'R.C.' mark which stands for Rosenthal & Co. The mark consists of two crossed scepters or batons under a crown, flanked by the initials 'R' and 'C'. Below this insignia is the pattern name 'LOUIS XIV.' printed in a serif font. The porcelain itself appears as a high-quality, translucent white hard-paste porcelain vitreous body. There are additional hand-painted alphanumeric notations in a dark reddish-brown or iron red enamel ('A9' and '3566'), which likely represent decorator marks or internal factory series codes used for quality control. The glaze is smooth and reflective, indicating professional firing and high craftsmanship typical of the Bavarian porcelain industry. Given the style of the mark, this piece likely dates from the late 19th century to the early 20th century (circa 1891-1906). The back of the plate shows minimal surface wear, though there is some light scuffing near the bottom edge. No major chips or cracks are immediately visible in this view, suggesting the piece has been well preserved. The 'Louis XIV' pattern name implies a design aesthetic inspired by French Baroque styles, likely featuring ornate gilding or floral motifs on the front face.

Based on my examination of the R.C. Louis XIV backstamp and porcelain body, I find this to be an authentic example of Rosenthal porcelain from the Kronach factory, dating between 1891 and 1906. The 'R.C.' mark accompanied by the 'Louis XIV' pattern designation confirms it as part of Rosenthal’s early export production aimed at the late Victorian and Edwardian markets. The iron-red hand-painted notations ('A9', '3566') are consistent with decorator marks of the period. Visually, the glaze remains vibrant with no evident crazing; however, the shelf wear on the foot rim suggests moderate domestic use. While the factory mark is genuine, market demand for single porcelain plates from this era is currently soft due to a generational shift in collecting habits. Comparables for individual Bavarian plates in the Louis XIV patterns typically fetch modest prices at auction unless part of a complete service or featuring rare hand-painted scenic decoration rather than standard transfer motifs. The primary value drivers here are the brand prestige of Rosenthal and the excellent state of preservation. It is important to note that this appraisal is based on photographic evidence only. A physical inspection is required to check for 'ringing' (sound resonance) to detect hairline cracks not visible to the eye, to verify the presence of professional restorations under UV light, and to confirm the level of gilt loss on the front face. Provenance documentation or a full service set would be necessary to reach the higher end of the valuation range.