Schiller & Son was one of the premier majolica factories of the 19th century and one of the most respected in Europe, yet today the company's work is little known outside of Europe and a small community of collectors. We have mentioned Wilhem Schiller before in our profile of the work of Gerbing & Stephan but in this post we will concentrate on the work done by Schiller after the end of his partnership with Friedrich Gerbing.
Bodenbach-Tetchen Bohemia
Wilhelm Leberecht Schiller was born in 1797 and entered the pottery business in apprenticeship under Johann Philipp Leyhn who had a small business making siderolith* pottery pipe bowls in Wermsdorf. In partnership with Friedrich Ludwig Meinulph Gerbing, a fellow worker at Leyhn's factory, he opened a new factory in 1829 in Bodenbach, Schiller & Gerbing. In 1841 they then expanded and opened a small second location in Tetschen. Together they potted a variety of siderolith, earthenware and terra cotta utilitarian and decorative wares. After the death of Gerbing in 1848 the company continued production with Gerbing's widow Karoline until 1850 when differences with Karoline fractured the partnership causing Schiller to leave and to open his own establishment.
Schiller & Gerbing siderolith teapot
Schiller & Gerbing charger
Schiller & Gerbing siderolith spill vase
Schiller & Gerbing Portland vase
Schiller & Geebig mark 1829-1850
Schiller & Geebig mark 1829-1850
Schiller left Bodenbach-Tetchen and opened his factory, W. Schiller & Sohn, in nearby Obergrund (modern day Horní Podluží, Czechoslovakia) specializing in terracotta, siderolith and earthenware along with a variety of other wares. Upon the invention of the new majolica by Minton in 1851, Schiller also added majolica to his line of earthenware changing the name of the company to Majolikafabrik W. Schiller & Sohn.
Schiller had a distinctive take on Minton's majolica invention that distinguishes it from other manufacturers. His color palette is generally subdued, favoring earth tones and neutrals rather than the bright, garish colors of English and French majolica. There are many exceptions of course.
Obergrund, Bohemia
Schiller & Son majolica tankard
WS&S majolica humidor
WS&S majolica elephant humidor
WS&S majolica train smoke stand
WS&S majolica spoon warmer
Schiller & Sons majolica compote
Schiller & Son majolica vase
Schiller & Son majolica compote
Schiller & Son majolica smoker
Schiller & Son majolica garden seat
Schiller & Son majolica mushroom garden seat
Schiller & Son majolica garden seat
Schiller & Son majolica satyr jug
WS&S marine jug
WS&S majolica mythological ewer
WS&S majolica mermaid handled ewer
Schiller & Son majolica charger
Schiller & Son majolica compote
WS&S majolica eagle compote
Shiller majolica Art Nouveau fruit compote
WS&S majolica swan compote
WS&S majolica candlestick
WS&S majolica wall sconce
WS&S majolica frog wall pockets
WS&S majolica dragon handled vase
WS&S majolica vase
Schiller & Son majolica vase
WS&S majolica vase
WS&S majolica snake handled urn
WS&S majolica vase
WS&S majolica Renaissance Revival vase
WS&S majolica classical revival urn
WS&S Art Nouveau majolica vase
Schiller & Son Renaissance Revival majolica vase
Schiller & Son majolica Art Nouveau floral compote
Schiller & Son majolica Renaissance Revival center
Schiller & Son satyr compote
WS&S majolica Egyptian vases
WS&S alligator teapot and sugar, a copy of a Wedgwood design
WS&S majolica Egyptian box
Schiller & Son majolica wall plaque
Schiller & Son majolica soldier and lion
Schiller & Son peacock vase
Schiller & Son majolica musician, one of a series of six
Schiller & Son majolica frog horn player
Schiller & Son majolica frog accordion player
Schiller & Son majolica frog horn player
Schiller & Son majolica frog drummer
Schiller & Son majolica frog flute player
WS&S majolica lion
WS&S majolica dog
Schiller & Son majolica owl
Schiller & Son majolica goat condiment
WS&S majolica jardiniere and pedestal
WS&S majolica Art Nouveau planter
Schiller & Son majolica planter
WS&S majolica planter
WS&S majolica planter
Schiller & Son majolica tulip jardiniere
Schiller & Son morning glory majolica jardiniere
WS&S majolica Art Nouveau jardiniere
Schiller & Son majolica jardiniere
The company frequently combined areas of shiny glaze with areas of matte glaze. The design aesthetic of continental majolica is also significantly different from the design influences pervasive throughout the English and French wares but more in line with the baroque and rococo aesthetic popular in Central Europe: Germany, Austria and Bohemia. The craftsmanship however is among the finest of majolica manufacturers.
Schiller & Son majolica vase
Schiller & Son majolica Alhambrian vase
Schiller & Son majolica Alhambrian vase
Schiller & Son majolica ewer
WS&S majolica dolphin handled vase
Schiller & Son majolica vase
Schiller & Son majolica vase
Schiller & Son majolica vase
WS&S majolica two handled vase
Schiller & Son majolica urn
Schiller & Son majolica ewer
WS&S majolica Renaissance Revival vase
WS&S majolica ewer
WS&S majolica elephant and lion vase
Schiller & Son majolica basket
Schiller & Son center on stand
WS&S majolica clock garniture.set
After Wilhelm Schiller died in the late 1800s, his son Eduard took over ownership of the factory keeping the Majolikafabrik W. Schiller & Sohn name. He ran it until 1914 when labor and materials shortages resulting from the outset of WW1 forced the company to close.
Schiller majolica is usually signed with an impressed WW&S mark or applied pad and catalog number. Prices vary with large intricate pieces commanding premium prices.
WS&S mark c.1880
WS&S mark c.1880
*siderolith is a refined earthenware product, often varnished., most popular in Central Europe
