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Arts & Entertainment

Antique of the Week: Meissen Porcelains

This week's antique is from Porcelain Corners.

As everyone in Kensington knows, Antique Row is one of the community’s points of pride. Howard Avenue and its side streets are lined with shops specializing in antique furniture, rugs, vintage toys, used books and more. This large presence in the community sparked our feature, Antique of the Week, where we will showcase a different item or curiosity each week to bring attention to pieces from the past.

Some of the most valued porcelains from the 1700s to the 1800s are sold at , an antique boutique that is connected to the . Ann Ford, the owner of Porcelain Corners, said these Meissen porcelains were given as gifts among royalty. She said they were created as a whole series such as street people or the characters from the Comedia dell’Arte.

Ford said that Meissen porcelains were so valued that people would imitate them and create fake trademarks.  She can tell the difference between the counterfeit and authentic Meissen porcelains by examining the marks under the glaze, but she advises the average antique buyer to let the experts determine their authenticity.

If you look at the bottom of the pair that she is selling, you will see the cross swords with the pummels, which signify that the pair was made anywhere between 1850 and 1940.  Ford believes this pair is from the 1800s. Meissen porcelains are still given as gifts between nations, but you can have your own pair for $1300.

Interested parties can stop by the shop at 3750 Howard Ave. or call Ford at 301-933-4618.

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