Where were Carl Scheidig porcelain figurines made?

Carl Scheidig porcelain figurines were made in Gräfenthal, a town in the German state of Thuringia. Gräfenthal became one of Germany's leading porcelain centres during the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. Rich deposits of raw materials, skilled craftsmen and established trade routes helped many porcelain factories grow in the area. Carl Scheidig opened in 1906 and joined a long list of manufacturers already producing fine porcelain in the region and nearby towns such as Rudolstadt, Volkstedt and Sitzendorf had their own factories, creating one of Europe's busiest porcelain districts. Hundreds of different figurine designs were produced across these neighbouring workshops during the last century. Many Carl Scheidig figures were cast in moulds before firing at high temperatures, after firing, experienced decorators painted each piece by hand using fine brushes. Gold decoration appeared on selected figures, though many models featured delicate pastel colours without heavy gilding. Following the Second World War, Gräfenthal became part of East Germany, as the porcelain industry continued operating under state ownership for many years, with Carl Scheidig remaining one of several recognised manufacturers in the region. Political changes affected exports, factory organisation and production methods, though porcelain making continued and today, Gräfenthal remains closely linked with German porcelain history.