What Is "Kalk Porcelain"?

Founders

Before taking the name of Kalk, Porzellanfabrik was a stoneware manufacturer owned and run by Wilhelm Geyer and his brother-in-law, surnamed Korbitz. The factory was built in 1882 and officially registered in 1890. Ten years later, Korbitz passed away and left his share of the factory to his wife, Martha. On the first of January, 1899, Geyer and Korbitz merged with Porzellanfabrik Kalk in Kalk, Germany, and the company's name became Porzellanfabrik Kalk, G. m. b. H.

Marks

A variety of marks identifies Kalk porcelain, which included anything from figurines and vases to dishes. A castle turret was one of the earliest marks to be implemented, followed closely by the Geyer signature in script. This was used until the mid-1930s. After 1900, crossed arrows were used in a variety of forms, from a simple two arrows to arrows enclosed in circles and topped with a crown. Sometimes single- or double-digit numbers were used, and others included the Kalk name.

Placement

If you are attempting to identify Kalk porcelain, look for any of these marks to be stamped on the bottom of your porcelain piece. Occasionally the mark is underglazed in blue, but it is always recessed. The age of your piece may be determined using the mark if it's taken to a knowledgeable antique dealer or jeweler.

Closing

Between 1900 and 1976, Porzellanfabrik Kalk underwent several more mergers, and from 1958 it worked with state participation. The original factory finally closed down in 1976, but the porcelain line carried on under the name V.E.B. Spezialkombinat Porzellan Eisenberg.