Elegant vintage / possibly antique set of two Leni Parbus Bavaria porcelain cabinet plates, sold together as one coordinated pair.

These richly decorated German porcelain plates feature two different romantic 18th-century-style courting scenes surrounded by elaborate molded Rococo borders, extensive gold gilt ornament, scalloped edges, floral motifs, and smaller matching figural vignettes.

One plate depicts an elegantly dressed gentleman and lady seated at a table while a servant pours a drink. The second shows a romantic couple beside an ornate piano or writing cabinet. Although the central scenes are different, both plates share the same porcelain form, molding, gilding, and decorative vocabulary, making them especially attractive as a matched display pair.

The reverse of each plate bears the distinctive green and gold crowned double “P” mark with “BAVARIA,” associated with Porzellanmalerei Leni Parbus of Oberkotzau, Bavaria, Germany.

ESTIMATED DATE:
Possible production period: circa 1904–1955.

Leni Parbus established her porcelain decorating studio in Oberkotzau in 1904 and operated it until 1955. The exact year of manufacture of these particular plates cannot be determined from this version of the mark, so they may date anywhere within the documented Leni Parbus operating period.

This means the plates could potentially be early 20th-century pieces, although a more precise production date cannot be confirmed.

INTERESTING FACTS:

• Porzellanmalerei Leni Parbus was founded in Oberkotzau, Bavaria, in 1904, giving these pieces a connection to more than a century of German porcelain-decorating history.

• The crowned double “P” Bavaria mark is associated with the Parbus decorating studio. Several variations of the mark were used, and this particular version does not provide a precise year code.

• Because Leni Parbus operated her studio from 1904 until 1955, these plates potentially date anywhere within that approximately 50-year period.

• The romantic compositions are commonly described as Fragonard-style or Rococo courting scenes, drawing inspiration from the aristocratic fête galante imagery popular in 18th-century European art.

• The plates are coordinated but not identical. Each features a different central narrative scene and different smaller figural vignettes, making the pair considerably more interesting than two identical plates.

• The elaborate borders are molded into the porcelain itself rather than being simply printed. They incorporate raised Rococo scrollwork, shell-like forms, ribbed sections, floral ornament, and scalloped contours.

• Gold decoration is used extensively throughout the plates — around the outer rims, molded scrolls, central borders, floral motifs, and individual ornamental details.

• The combination of figurative decoration, deeply molded porcelain, extensive gilding, and a documented Bavarian decorating studio makes this pair particularly suitable for cabinet display and collection rather than ordinary table use.

CONDITION:
Good vintage condition with age-appropriate wear.

There is visible wear to portions of the gold gilt decoration, particularly along some of the scrolling lines and outer rims, as shown in the photographs. Light surface wear and minor marks consistent with age and previous display are also present.

No obvious major chips or cracks are visible in the photographs.

Please review all photographs carefully, as they are an important part of the condition description.

This listing includes BOTH plates shown in the photographs.

A distinctive matched pair for collectors of Leni Parbus porcelain, Bavarian china, German cabinet plates, Fragonard-style courting scenes, Rococo porcelain, gilt European ceramics, and early-to-mid 20th-century decorative arts.

SHIPPING:
Both porcelain plates will be individually wrapped so they cannot come into contact with one another during transit. Each plate will receive multiple protective layers, with additional cushioning between the plates and around the molded rims. The pair will be carefully stabilized in an appropriately sized box to minimize movement and protect the raised porcelain decoration and gilt surfaces during shipping.