Royal Rudolstadt “Russia” Mark Hand-Painted Fruit Cabinet Plate, C. 1895–1905

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A beautifully hand-painted fruit cabinet plate by Royal Rudolstadt, featuring the rare early “Russia” export mark—a detail often misunderstood. Although … Read more A beautifully hand-painted fruit cabinet plate by Royal Rudolstadt, featuring the rare early “Russia” export mark—a detail often misunderstood. Although the stamp reads “RUSSIA,” the piece was made in Rudolstadt, Thuringia, Germany, and “Russia” here refers to an old anglicized form of Ruscha/Rusha, associated with the region. It was used by the factory between 1895–1905 for goods exported to English-speaking markets.

The plate shows a lush arrangement of plums and peaches painted in soft, naturalistic brushwork, set against a pastel washed ground. The scalloped rim is finished with raised gilt beading, a signature of higher-grade Rudolstadt cabinet ware from the turn of the century.

These plates were created for parlor display rather than everyday use, reflecting the Edwardian taste for botanical still lifes and decorative continental porcelain. See less