This is a Golden Year Anniversary tea set from 1882 to celebrate 50 years of marriage between Friedrich Traugott Wittig & Maria Barbara Kunigunde. Donated by April Baylock.
Friedrich Traugott Wittig & Maria Barbara Kunigunde, 1874
Photo of gift recipients, Friedrich Traugott Wittig & Maria Barbara Kunigunde, who were two immigrants who came from Saxony to the United States. The photograph was taken in a studio in Striegau, Silesia, in what was Germany and is now Poland.
The tradition of gifting porcelain dish sets for significant life events (baptisms, weddings, and anniversaries) has been around in Germany for many centuries, but with the spread of less expensive porcelain manufactories, it became a much more obtainable gift. Prior to this shift, it was mostly common between the elite.
Striegauer Porzellanmanufaktur Anniversary Set Striegauer Porzellanmanufaktur Anniversary Set (1882) by Striegauer Porzellanmanufaktur, owned by C. Walter.German-American Heritage Museum of the USA
Serving Tray
Unlern theuren Eltern zum goldenen Ehejubiläum den 5. Juni 1882
To our dear parents on the occasion of their golden wedding anniversary on June 5, 1882
The tradition of giving a gift to celebrate a wedding anniversary has been historically traced to Medieval Germany with the most popular being silver for 25 years and gold for 50 years. Prior to more modern times, gifts following this tradition were commonly in the form of wreaths.
ST. P. M Stamp
From 1873 to 1898, this mark was used for Striegauer Porzellanmanufaktur, owned by C. Walter, who grew up in Striegau and specialized in a wide variety of ceramics including wedding anniversary pieces.
The factory was located in an old fulling mill in the town of Stanowitz.
Teacup and plate
Zum goldenen Hochzeitsfelte F. W.
For the golden wedding anniversary of F. W.
Striegauer Porzellanmanufaktur Anniversary Set TeacupGerman-American Heritage Museum of the USA
Close up of Inscription
Typically, the porcelain forms were made in the factory, but women would take the dishes home in order to apply the gold by hand. The meticulous process applied to the calligraphy and other detailing.
Striegauer Porzellanmanufaktur Anniversary Set Teacup and plateGerman-American Heritage Museum of the USA
Teacup and Saucer
Plate
Striegau den 5. Juni 1882
Striegau, June 5, 1882
Striegauer Porzellanmanufaktur Anniversary Set PlateGerman-American Heritage Museum of the USA
Close up of Inscription
Striegau, June 5, 1882
The gold was applied in large sections as well as tiny spirals through the dish.
Striegauer Porzellanmanufaktur Anniversary Set PlateGerman-American Heritage Museum of the USA
Tea Saucer
Striegauer Porzellanmanufaktur Anniversary Set Teacup top viewGerman-American Heritage Museum of the USA
Teacup
Gilded interior
2nd Birthday Teacup for Granddaughter
zum 2 teu Geburtstage Constanze Mittig den 18. Februar 1879
On the 2nd Birthday of Constanze Mittig on February 18 1879
Although this set was used primarily to honor a wedding anniversary, birthdays were also celebrated by porcelain dish sets.
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