UBB.threads Forums Uniform & Accessories Imperial German Uniforms, Orders, and Decorations Die Fechter: copy, or a restoration?

I came across this figure in Europe some twenty years back. It is finished in a heavy crackle glaze, not biscuit finish like the Allach model. There are signs of repair. One of the added re-inforcement plates at the base has a makers mark - partly obscured. I notice that the the position of the grounded epee point differs from that of the model shown in the Allach catalogue.
It has been an interesting talking point over the years, all and any opinions are welcome.

Apart from the glaze finish the obvious initial differences relate to the detailed quality of interpretation of the figure's head, hair and ears, and the thickness of the sword blade.
It certainly is an interesting restatement of the original Allach figure and it would be great if someone could figure out the maker-mark on the base....maybe Bill Warda could comment?

Barry,

Not a reproduction at all, in fact, quite an extraordinary sculpture with a history all its own. I think you're going to enjoy this.

According to Dr. Walter G. Demmel, the name Birk is common to the the district of Allach-Obermenzing, (Munich) there are many family members that he found while researching the area's history. The Otto Birk (whose name we see on your ceramic figurine) is still known today as "Keramikmeister," and as recently as 2008, had his shop "Kachelofenbau Baukeramik," (stone-tiled ovens and stoves) located at 255 Allacher Strasse, in München. It still might be in existence today run by other family members?

It seems this Otto Birk was the son-in-law of the famous Franz Nagy, initial owner and artist of the famous SS undertaking, Porzellan Manufaktur Allach. I'm sure the name Nagy is located on top of the maker's mark on your piece, obscured by that bit of clay or ceramic. If it's removable I'm sure that's what will be there. Exactly how and why the piece came into being I have no idea, but I guarantee it was never meant to fool or deceive anyone and is quite rare in its own right. A wonderful find indeed and something that should interest any serious collector/student of Allach porcelain.

Was it a collaboration between the two men, possibly a joint-project to test the ceramic material? Was the piece produced in a larger production run? The actual date of manufacture, is it pre or post-war? All questions that might be answered with some diligent research and translations. Interesting? Absolutely!

Congratulations and much continued good luck! Thanks so much for sharing this outstanding and intriguing piece of your collection with us.

Bill Warda

Bill,

Thank you so much for your knowledgable insights, I have long wondered about the origin of this model. I was clear that it was not an attempt to deceive, as it bears no false Allach markings.

As you suggest, and now you have given me such a valuable lead, I will start a research project. The name Franz Nagy is familiar to me from my reading of histories of the SS Porzellan - Manufaktur Allach, but I failed to decipher it on the base of the figure. The firm of Otto Birk was completly unknown to me.

As a first step I will consult an accredited porcelain restorer to ascertain if the plate obscuring the name might be safely removed without damage, so as to reveal the name in full.

Any results I may obtain I will post on this forum.

Bill, many thanks.

Barry