The Dark History Of Dinnerware: Nazi Germany's Ceramic Industry

Dinnerware sets from Nazi Germany are highly sought-after by collectors. The SS Allach firm in Allach, Bavaria, produced porcelain dinnerware for Adolf Hitler. The set, which included a teapot, sugar bowl, creamer, cups, and saucers, was discovered in unopened boxes at the deserted Allach Factory and is believed to have been intended for Hitler's mountain retreat in the German Alps. Other pieces of SS Allach dinnerware, such as plates, bowls, and cups, have also been found and sold to collectors.

In addition to Hitler's personal dinnerware, mess hall porcelain from Nazi Germany is also of interest to collectors. These include items used by the Luftwaffe, Army, Navy, and various Nazi Party organizations. The porcelain was produced by several German manufacturers, including Bauscher Weiden, KPM, and Rosenthal, and is known for its durability.

Today, these dinnerware sets from Nazi Germany are traded and sold by collectors and dealers, with prices ranging from a few hundred to several thousand dollars.

SS Allach porcelain dinnerware was made for Adolf Hitler

SS Allach porcelain dinnerware was manufactured in Germany between 1935 and 1945. The company was founded by Franz Nagy and Karl Diebitsch, both decorated veterans of the First World War with a background in artwork and porcelain. Diebitsch was also one of the early members of the Nazi party. In 1936, Heinrich Himmler, the leader of the SS, took over the company through the use of the SS, renaming it SS Porzellan Manufaktur Allach. Himmler was obsessed with Aryan mysticism and Germanic culture, and he intended the company to produce works of art that embodied these interests.

The SS-owned Allach firm in lower Bavaria produced porcelain dinnerware that was made for and presented to Adolf Hitler. The dinnerware was part of a large collection of serving ware that would have been used on formal occasions and would have graced the dining tables at Hitler's various offices and residences, including his mountain retreat, Berghof, in the Obersalzberg above Bertesgaden in the German Alps. The collection included a tea set, a double-handled soup tureen, a gravy boat, a sandwich plate, a luncheon plate, a sugar bowl, a demitasse or chocolate cup and saucer, and a dinner plate. The porcelain pieces were often decorated with the Reichs eagle, also known as the Fhreradler or the leader's eagle, in 22-karat gold leaf.

The Allach Porcelain Firm was created by Prof. Diebitsch in 1936 at the behest of Reichsfhrer Himmler. The company was NS-government sponsored, which allowed them to attract the finest artists in the craft, including Prof. Theodor Kärner, who also worked with Meissen, Rosenthal, and Hutschenreuther. The quality of the pieces produced by the Allach firm was considered extraordinary.

In addition to dinnerware, Allach also produced various figurines, such as soldiers, animals, and historical figures, as well as candle holders and presentation plates. These items were often given as gifts to SS members, the military, police, and foreign guests. The company logo included stylized SS runes, and the double-lightning insignia of the SS was marked on all Allach products.

After its first year of operation, the Allach company was run by the SS with forced labour provided by the Dachau concentration camp. The use of slave labour from the Dachau camp was strongly denied by the factory managers at the Nuremberg Trials. The fall of the Third Reich brought an end to the Allach factory, and the factories were shut down in 1945, never to reopen.

The set was found in the deserted Allach factory in unopened boxes

The dinnerware set, found in the deserted Allach factory, provides a glimpse into the dark world of Allach porcelain, which flourished under the sinister auspices of Nazi Germany. The set, discovered in unopened boxes, offers a tangible reminder of a disturbing era.

Allach porcelain was produced between 1936 and 1945 in the small German town of Allach, just outside Munich. The company was founded by Franz Nagy and Karl Diebitsch, both decorated veterans of World War I with artistic backgrounds. Diebitsch, an early member of the Nazi Party, played a pivotal role in shaping the company's trajectory. In 1935, they built the Allach factory on land they owned, specialising in intricate porcelain artwork.

However, in 1936, Heinrich Himmler, the leader of the infamous German SS, took control of the factory through the SS. Renamed SS Porzellan Manufaktur Allach, the factory became an instrument to propagate Himmler's obsession with Aryan mysticism and ancient Germanic culture. The SS-controlled business soon thrived in the niche and profitable porcelain market of Nazi Germany.

The Allach factory initially attracted some of Germany's finest porcelain artists, who were "heavily persuaded" to sign long-term contracts. The range of products included decorative porcelain pieces, candleholders, and figurines. The majority of items bolstered Nazi ideology, featuring idealised representations of peasants, historical figures, and rural themes. The use of slave labour from nearby concentration camps, such as Dachau, enabled the mass production of these items, making them accessible to Germans from various social classes.

As World War II progressed, the Allach factory underwent expansion and relocation to meet increasing demands. Despite the closure of the factories in 1945 with the fall of the Third Reich, the legacy of Allach porcelain persists, attracting collectors and historians alike. The discovery of the unopened boxes in the deserted factory serves as a tangible reminder of this tumultuous period in history.

The china was made for Hitler by the SS Allach firm in Allach, Bavaria

The SS Allach firm in Allach, Bavaria, produced porcelain dinnerware for Adolf Hitler. The company was founded in 1920 by Hungarian-born porcelain maker Franz Nagy and porcelain painter Karl Diebitsch. The factory was initially located on private property in Allach, a suburb of Munich in southern Germany. In the early years, renowned porcelain artists like Richard Foerster and Theodor Kaerner created designs for the company.

In the 1930s, the company came under the control of the SS, led by Heinrich Himmler. Himmler was a patron of the company and an admirer of its porcelain artwork. He took over the factory through the SS in 1936, renaming it SS Porzellan Manufaktur Allach. Himmler aimed to promote his obsession with Aryan mysticism and Germanic culture through the factory's productions.

Under SS control, the company began producing items that bolstered Nazi ideology. These included figurines of peasants, historical figures, and rural themes such as unbridled horses and bears. One of their most popular items was the Allach Julleuchter candleholder, which was often given to SS officers to celebrate the winter solstice. The use of slave labour from the nearby Dachau concentration camp allowed these items to be produced at a low cost, making them accessible to Germans of most social classes.

The SS Allach firm produced a vast set of dinnerware for Hitler, consisting of hundreds of pieces. The set included plates, dishes, cups, saucers, teapots, sugar bowls, creamers, and more. These pieces were found in the deserted Allach Factory in unopened boxes, confirming that they were meant for delivery to Hitler. The porcelain was of exceptional quality and held great historical significance.

The Allach factory became a hub of porcelain production for the Nazi regime, with its items presented as gifts to high-ranking officials and used at gala SS occasions. The factory's operations came to an end with the fall of the Third Reich in 1945.

The set includes plates, dishes, cups, saucers, a teapot, sugar bowl, and creamer

Dinnerware sets are a staple in many households, but the concept of a standardised set of plates, dishes, cups, saucers, teapots, sugar bowls, and creamers is a relatively modern invention. In the past, it was common for people to own a mix-and-match assortment of tableware, and it is only in recent centuries that the idea of a matching set has become popular.

That being said, the specific items you mentioned (plates, dishes, cups, saucers, teapots, sugar bowls, and creamers) have a long history of use in tableware settings. Here is some information about each item and its role in a dinnerware set:

• Plates: Plates are a fundamental part of any dinnerware set and come in various sizes, including charger plates, dinner plates, dessert plates, salad plates, and side plates. They are usually standardised in descending order of diameter size, with charger plates being the largest and side plates being the smallest.
• Dishes: The term "dishes" can refer to both serving dishes and individual bowls or plates. Serving dishes are used to transport food from the kitchen to the table and include items such as platters, trays, bowls, and casserole dishes. Individual bowls or plates are used for eating and can come in a variety of sizes and shapes depending on their intended use.
• Cups: Cups are an essential part of any dinnerware set, especially when serving hot beverages like tea or coffee. They can also be used for soups or desserts.
• Saucers: Saucers are typically used in conjunction with cups, providing a stable surface for the cup to rest on and helping to prevent spills. They are commonly found in tea and coffee sets.
• Teapots: Teapots are vessels used to brew and serve tea. They are often included in tea sets, along with cups, saucers, and other accessories.
• Sugar bowls: Sugar bowls are small containers used to hold sugar cubes or packets. They are commonly found in tea and coffee sets, allowing guests to add sugar to their beverages as desired.
• Creamers: Creamers, also known as milk jugs, are small pitchers used to hold milk or cream, which can be added to tea, coffee, or cereal. They are often included in tea and coffee sets.

When choosing a dinnerware set, it is essential to consider the quality and material of the items. Porcelain and ceramic are popular choices for tableware due to their durability and ease of cleaning. It is also common to find tableware made from materials like glass, metal, wood, or plastic.

In terms of the specific historical context of Nazi Germany, I was unable to find specific information about dinnerware sets that included all of the items you mentioned. However, it is worth noting that during this period, tableware was often made from ceramic materials, and companies like Bauscher Weiden and KPM (Knigliche Porzellan-Manufaktur Berlin) were known for producing tableware for the military and Nazi Party organisations.

Hitler's dinnerware is historically important and highly sought-after by collectors

Hitler's dinnerware is historically important as it offers a glimpse into the life of one of the most infamous figures in history. The dinnerware was crafted by the Allach firm in Bavaria, known for producing fine porcelain, and was intended for Hitler's personal use at his residences, including his mountain retreat in the German Alps. The set is also notable for its regal style and high-quality craftsmanship, featuring 22-karat gold leaf details and intricate designs.

The historical significance of Hitler's dinnerware lies not only in its association with Hitler himself but also in the broader context of Nazi Germany and World War II. The dinnerware serves as a tangible reminder of that tumultuous era, providing insight into the aesthetics, culture, and daily life within Hitler's inner circle. The existence of such luxurious dinnerware also contrasts sharply with the harsh realities faced by those affected by Nazi rule and the devastation of the war.

Hitler's dinnerware is highly sought-after by collectors due to its historical significance and rarity. The market for these artefacts is driven by those interested in historical memorabilia, especially items associated with significant historical figures. The allure of owning a piece of history, regardless of its ethical implications, fuels the demand for Hitler's dinnerware among collectors.

The availability of Hitler's dinnerware is limited, and the pieces that have surfaced were discovered decades after World War II. Dealers and collectors have acquired these artefacts, and some have been displayed in museums, despite controversies surrounding the display of Nazi-era relics. The market for such items remains robust, with collectors willing to pay high prices for the chance to own a piece of history.

Hitler's dinnerware continues to be a subject of interest and debate among historians, collectors, and the general public. While some view these artefacts solely as historical remnants, others question the ethics of collecting and displaying items associated with a dark chapter in history. The dinnerware set remains a tangible connection to Hitler and Nazi Germany, sparking conversations about historical preservation, commemoration, and the complexities of our collective past.

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