Austrian Bodenbach Gerbing & Stephan 1800s Pitcher Grecian Style Detail

Antique Austrian Bodenbach majolica pitcher in the grecian style popular during this period and decorated in a very Victorian typical style of Gerbing and Stephan. It is a small decorative pitcher with pleasing details. It is marked on the underside with G&St. History. This majolica company was founded in 1861 in the Austrian town of Bodenbach. Businessman Stephan took care of the financial side, Gerbing instead was responsible for the design and production. This combination was very successful indeed and in 1880 they were present at the Christmas exhibition of the Austrian museum for industry and art in Vienna. In the early 1890s, the company was then taken over by Friedrich Alexander and Emil Alexander Gerbing who together run the factory without larger changes. The company was totally specialised in the production of historic styled majolica, and this was greatly in contrast with the markets change of taste in direction of the upcoming art nouveau style. Unable to change the product range the brothers closed down the business for bankruptcy in 1903. Height: 18cm/7.1 inches.