KPM Porcelain ca. 1885

I don't know about you but this looks like something you might buy at Cracker Barrel.  A reproduction of days gone by maybe, so imagine my surprise when I happened to look at the back and noticed a maker's mark, KPM.  

Quick research told me that it was made about 1885 by the Konigliche Porzallen Manufactur company in Berlin Germany.  The company was started in 1761 by Johann Ernst Gotzkowsky.  A couple of years later Gotzkowsky ran into financial difficulties and the company was taken over by Frederick the Great, King of Prussia.  In today's market KPM is most sought after for its plaques.

Since we can date the item to 1885 I like to think that it was something that John W. Moran purchased for his wife Sophia. 

Tapestry Under Glass

I love this tray.  There's nothing fancy about it and it's clearly homemade.  In my view I can see that someone was trying to preserve a piece of something special, something loved.  A tiny piece of treasure to pass down but whose meaning has long been lost.  

It's a simple design utilizing an old photo frame, a piece of glass, two brass handles and some nails.  Put it all together and it becomes a beautiful tray for a ladies dresser.  Perhaps it was a place to lay jewelry, keep perfume bottles, her comb and mirror.  We don't know who it belonged to but we're happy to have brought it back to life.  

Getting a good picture has been difficult.  The glass reflects everything and though I'm not completely happy with these pictures they are the best I've been able to get.  The closeup of the fabric was the most difficult because I did not take it out of the frame which is obvious from the light reflection at the bottom.  All in all though you still see the beauty of the material as well as the waterstains.   Through the years Moran Place fell victim to a lot of leaks that damaged many things.  Many people would focus on the damage, we focus on the beauty and the heritage.