To know the story of Conta & Boehme porcelain manufacturers and maker of beautiful porcelain dolls of the 19th century, one must go back to the 18th century. One can view some of the porcelain figures made by Conta & Boehme (Conta & Böhme) at the Digital Museum in Thüringia, Germany. One can visit a museum in Pössneck (Poesneck or Pößneck), Germany to learn more.
The book Blätter für Münzfreunde (for coin enthusiasts) in 1901 mentions them, “Conta & Boehme, Ducal Saxony-Memmingen Privileged Porcelain Factory, founded in 1790.” But the year 1790 must be seen in light of the factory’s history.
Before Conta & Boehme
Gotthelf Greiner (a glassworks owner in Limbach) produced the first samples of porcelain in 1760 and asked to set up the porcelain factory in 1762. Greiner set up a porcelain factory with Ferdinand Hammann in Wallendorf back in 1765, the first porcelain factory in Thuringia. Sontag & Söhne in Geiersthal contributed painting for the factory.
Greiner had withdrawn by 1771. Hammann had discovered a great sandstone quarry at the Venusberge after much effort and expense. Hammann had requested the government back in 1783 not to give ownership of the mines to someone else. (Stieda, W. (1902). Die anfänge der porzellanfabrikation auf dem Thüringerwalde. Jena: G. Fischer.)
Tobias Albert von Roschütz’s Factory in Pössneck
At the turning point of the 18th century, Tobias Albert von Roschütz near Gera applied on September 15, 1800 for a concession to set up a factory in Pössneck (Pößneck) or its district. Duke Franz von Coburg-Saalfeld did not object to the application and Albert had to pay for the execution of the privilege. Albert received his concession on December 6th. The concession reminded the public that the porcelain factory established by Johann Friedrich Brantz in Coburg had closed down.
Wallendorf Dispute
The widow Hammann as the owner of the porcelain factory in Wallendorf objected mainly because Albert could not prove that he had the capital required to run it in the desired amount, his application was rejected.
Mrs. Hammann also tried to defend herself against Albert, referring to Section 3 of the privilege of 1764. She claimed that Albert was backed by capitalists from the Electorate of Saxony who were not allowed to set up a competing business because of the Meissen factory in their homeland. A belief that Albert was poor and had no assets supported the belief he needed to be backed by capitalists.
But Albert also owned the factory in Untermhaus-Gera (Gera-Untermhaus) where he lived. Thus the case with foreign capitalists, if it existed, could hardly have been a reason for rejection.
Fear of Competition
If Albert’s factory succeeded the Wallendorf factory, which had gradually perfected its products to such an extent that they were no less than those of the best known establishments, would lose sales. Mrs. Hammann also pointed out that a rival company had recently grown up in the Prussian Lauenstein district village of Tettau and may not have been wrong when she assumed that she would lose even more through the new factory in Pössneck.
Albert’s Success
Given the constantly growing population and increasing sales abroad, Albert triumphed over the monopoly desires of his older Hammann competitor. It is believed that Albert hoped to find his material nearby, namely in the area around Saalfeld and Eisenberg. Perhaps he was also motivated by the fact that wages in the area were not very high saving in factory labor costs. Also the people in Coburg-Saalfeld had long supported the new industry and the privilege granted to Rosenau near Coburg could be transferred to Pössneck.
The Beginning of Albert’s Factory
On August 25, 1802, Chamberlain Riemann reported that the buildings and equipment showed that the factory was only just beginning to be built. Albert obtained the earth for the capsules from Wallendorf. The factory there had leased the quarry near Kipfendorf, but passed on the raw material obtained. After 2-3 fires, the capsules were unusable and had to be replaced with new ones.
The Factory Sandstone / Sand
The sandstone from Saalfeld, which was interspersed with small feldspar crystals, “the soul of porcelain making”, was said to be excellent and burned to an unusual whiteness in the fire. Incidentally, Albert did not turn down the Steinheid sand used by all Thuringian factories. “The sand” supposedly was properly calcined and then pearled, sieved, washed and slurried. The mass was then mixed with clay, which is done by adding all the mass that has already been in the fire and has also been crushed and sieved. This operation is done secretly. After mixing, the mass is moistened again and the vessel is made from it on the potter’s wheel.”
The French Kilns
For firing, Albert used a French kiln with a completely uniform heat, which was not yet widely used at the time. It was round on the inside, with five flues and three flue or fire holes in the hood. The councillor criticised the glaze for not being completely white, but rather a little blue. The painting did not impress him. But Albert only had young people at his disposal who were still learning.
In this way, the factory at that time was content with producing small vessels and equipment. Nevertheless it required 300 fathoms of wood per year and employed a total of 18 people.
Conta & Böhme Buy Albert’s Factory
Albert sold the factory in 1814 to the commission councillor and city physician Albrecht Wilhelm Ernst Konta and the porcelain manufacturer Christian Gotthelf Böhme. The town council in Pössneck was not entirely happy with this turn of events. (With this in mind, the company makes the claim their factory was founded in 1780 in the German “Address book of all Countries of the World of Merchants, Manufacturers, Tradesmen, Landowners” for the years 1887-1890. )
Duke Franz did not agree to the transfer of the privilege to Konta and Böhme. (Spelling of “Konta” as from the source of this information.) Duke Ernst, Franz’s successor, had the responsibility to do this on January 31, 1815.
Christian Böhme Passes Away
On December 17, 1819, Hofrat Konta died after appointing his wife Marie Rosine Konta, née Jäger, and his children Wilhelmine, Mathilde, Carl Hermann and Bernhard as his heirs. Soon after, Christian Böhme also passed away. Then in 1823 his heirs sold their half of the factory to the Konta heirs. Subsequently, the Konta tenants, who had probably married elsewhere, transferred their share to the brothers. Their descendants still called the factory the old way.
Sandstone Venusberg Mountain
Conta & Böhme, as a newly established factory in Poesneck, Germany, received permissions to use the sandstone from the Venusberg mountain in central Germany, the quarry found by Ferdinand Hammann.
International Exhibition of 1862
The International Exhibition of 1862’s Illustrated Catalog of the Industrial Department for the foreign division mentioned the company under the category of POTTERY in Posneck selling fancy articles of china. The articles listed had numbers along with the names. Some of the names for the figures included: Scotch hunters, hunters and lady, Marquis a la Samis, minuet dancers, Mirabeau and Lisette, boars-head, Germania, the first address, evening-rest, the shared repast, a covey of hens, sleeping child in chair, casket, imitated wood, jewel-box, watch-stand, Spanish lady, feast of roses, spring amusements, sisterly love, boy with sheep, girl with sheep, chess-players, hunter with hound, rural, autumn-amusements, the blessings of house and field, pen-case, and others.
Conta & Böhm’s Knick-Knack Factory
In 1864 while describing different porcelain factories Germany, Friedrich Georg Wieck explained in his German Illustrated Trade Newspaper that the Conta & Boehme factory only produced knick-knacks but was dynamic in its reputation for doing so. In his article he spelled the factory name “Conta & Böhm.”
By 1874 they boasted 800 workers.
In 1878 they advertised manufacturing “knickknacks, luxury items, bathing children,
doll heads.”
Fire Insurance Company
The company also advertised the offer of fire insurance to the local area of Neustadt in May of 1825.
People of the Conta & Boehme Factory
In 1890 Robert Conta represented the factory.
Conta, Karl, commercial councillor (Kommerzienrat) passed away the 15th of June in 1892. He was 83.
Conta & Boehme Donations
The German newspaper, Munich’s Latest News, announced in March of 1893, (translated): “The heirs of the commercial agent Karl Conta in Pössneck, who died on June 15th, 1892, have donated 50,000 marks to the city for the construction of a new crane house and have also donated 50,000 marks, the interest on which is to be distributed every year on the deceased’s birthday to the older staff of the Conta & Böhme company (porcelain factory there).”
Conta & Boehme in 1897
By 1897 Conta & Boehme products consisted primarily of painted and gilded luxury porcelain. The porcelain ranged from the smallest knick-knacks to large figures, writing utensils, and candlesticks. They made items for children with many types and sizes of bath dolls and doll heads.
The factory also manufactured thousands of crates and cardboard boxes required to accommodate orders from all parts of the world. During this time they advertised luxury articles.
At that time the factory employed 350 workers, some based in Ranis and others in nearby Prussian towns. They had an annual shipment of goods at about 4000 centers.
Factory Inspector
The factory inspector, C. Erdmann Lindner, passed away on July 24, 1898 at the age of 72 having worked for almost 60 years for the firm.
Coins by Conta & Boehme
The German book Blätter für Münzfreunde for coin enthusiasts described coins made by Conta & Boehme. “…coins with a diameter of 29 mm, denominations of 1j, /2, 1, 12 and 16 Kreuzer, the last three of which are from the royal collection. The front shows the large value number, the back bears the company name “CONTA & BOHME IN PÖSNECK”. With the exception of the 12-Kreuzer piece, which is made of white metal, the coins are made of brass. Perhaps the piece with the number 12 is also a Pfennig, i.e. an old Groschen, which would explain the difference in the metal. However, no further details can be found out about this.”
Conta & Boehme Addresses
In 1851 the French publication Official Catalogue of the Great Exhibition of the Manufactures of All Nations gave a listing for the firm as “815 Conta & Böhme, Inv. and Fab. Pössneck. (Agent in London, J. Kendall, 8 Harp Lane, Great Tower Street.)— Glassware, porcelain, &c.; assortment of Chinese ornaments.”
Leuch’s Addressbook for Conta & Boehme
In 1883 Leuch’s Addressbook featured a half page ad for Conta & Böhme. The book also listed the Conta & Böhme in Poesneck in Saxony under various categories for a porcelain factory and a doll factory, as well as different porcelain items including ashtrays, bathing children, dummies, cigar holders, boxes, figurines, candlesticks, figures of saints, jardinières, luxury items, menu holders, needle holders, pepper bowls, smoking services, salt bowls, writing utensils, mustard bowls, mirror boxes, toys, match lighters, clock holders, vases, holy water fonts. They were also listed under animals and toothbrushes.
Leipzig Addressbook for Conta & Boehme
The Leipzig Trade Fair Address Book of 1897 lists Conta & Boehme, “Conta & Boehme, Pössneck (Thuringia), porcelain factory: luxury and fantasy items of figurative genres, doll heads and bathing children. O.-V. Department store, courtyard, 4th floor.
1907 Ad for Conta & Boehme
The German Directory of Glassware and Ceramics (Annuaire de la verrerie et de la céramique) in 1907 featured an ad for Cona & Boehme, (translated) “Conta & Boehme, Poessneck, S. -M. Candelabras, table centrepieces, garden ornaments, mirrors, groups, figures, bathing children, dolls’ heads, animals. Experts for all countries. At the fair in Leipzig: Department store, ground floor, inside 47.”
Identifying Conta & Boehme Porcelain Head Dolls
Mary Gorham Krombholz published three books that help collectors identify and distinguish between some different German china and parian head dolls.
Identifying German Chinas 1840s-1930s
The simplest Identifying German Chinas 1840s-1930s divides the chapters into eras by decade. For example in the chapter for the 1860s one can see various china head dolls with similar hairstyles popular during that decade. Krombholz presents 1860s doll heads by Conta & Boehme; C. F. Kling & Co.; A. W. Fr. Kister; Kestner & Co.; Alt, Beck & Gottschalck; and others. This type of presentation helps someone distinguish between the molding of the hairstyles and facial features, as well as the facial painting of these very similar dolls.
Identifying German Parian Dolls
In her book Identifying German Parian Dolls Krombholz presents wonderful images and descriptions of parian porcelain head dolls (non-glazed). Each chapter she dedicates to a specific well known German manufacturer. Chapter five holds the collection of dolls manufactured by Conta & Böhme. She includes photos of the front of the dolls’ faces as well as the back of the head.
A Pictorial Reference Guide for German Chinas
In her rarest and most practical book, A Pictorial Reference Guide for German Chinas, Krombholz presents chapters dedicated to the different manufacturers. Chapter four describes the Conta & Boehme porcelain factory and the dolls with extra images not found in either of the previously mentioned books. The chapter also has insightful details about the factory along with photos of her visit to the factory. It is this blogger’s favorite of books for identifying German chinas and admiring the works of Conta & Boehme.