Ironstone wash set was produced in Germany
Q:
This is a photo of an ironstone wash set that belonged to my grandmother. It was given to her by a very wealthy family in Fort Wayne, Indiana, in the late 1890s or early 1900s. The set is in perfect condition and decorated with purple flowers, gold leaves and green bands. Included in the set are a large pitcher with a bowl, smaller pitcher, cup, covered soap dish and covered toothbrush dish. Marked on each piece are a crown and the words “Germany — RW — Rudolstad,” along with gold letters and numbers.
What can you tell me about my wash set and its value? A: The mark you provided was used by L. Straus and Son, an importing firm located in New York from 1882 to around 1930. It imported fine porcelain from Rudolstadt, Thuringia, Germany, and later from its subsidiaries in Bohemia and France.
A plethora of ironstone and porcelain wash sets were made in Europe and the United States from the mid-1800s to the early 1900s. The sets usually also included a chamber pot and slop jar. The pieces were placed on a washstand in the bedrooms. Some washstands had a special compartment for the chamber pot and racks that pulled out from one side to hold towels, and many had marble tops. With the arrival of indoor plumbing, the need for wash sets declined.
Your wash set was made around 1900 and would probably be worth $150 to $275.