Plauesche Porzellanmanufaktur/Schierholz - Mint, genummerd - Tealight holder - Nickel plated brass, Biscuit porcelain - 4 landscape lithophanes

Antique nickel-plated tea warmer with 4 numbered and marked topographic lithophanes from PPM (Plaue) – ca. 1900 (mint condition)

High-quality and extremely rare antique tea warmer (tealight) with 4 (3 different) lithophanes featuring romantic landscape scenes in perfect condition from the period around 1900.

The housing is made of nickel-plated brass, with openwork geometric patterns and star-shaped cutouts on the bottom. The frame rests on four elegantly decorated claw feet and features a well-functioning hinged lid.

The four sides are inlaid with ultrathin panels of unglazed biscuit porcelain (lithophanes or transparents) that are in absolute, perfect condition. These are very refined relief engravings in porcelain. In daylight the panels show a subdued white relief, but once a candle or tealight is lit inside, the object transforms. The light shines through the varying thicknesses of porcelain, creating breathtaking, three-dimensional images with a warm, glowing depth.

Origin and specification of the four unique panels:
The four lithophanes were manufactured by the renowned German manufacturer Plauesche Porzellanmanufaktur/Schierholz (Gebrüder Schierholz) from Thuringia, then world leaders in this discipline. The back is fitted with the original, incised model numbers from the factory catalog.
Next to the number is a small blind stamp impressed. This is the factory and control mark that Schierholz used at the time to guarantee authenticity and quality in the porcelain transparents.

Panel 1: Romantic river scene with a detailed salon boat/gondola in the foreground. On the water’s edge are prominent deciduous trees and distinctive architecture.
Panels 2 and 3: Topographic depiction of the