Goldscheider production was interrupted during World War One but the roaring twenties saw a glittering revival thanks mainly to Marcel Goldscheider who became technical and artistic director having studied ceramic art in Vienna, France and England. A new decorative technique for Viennese Faience was patented in 1923 which combined underglaze painting with virtuoso aerograph spray. Different model, color and size variations were produced for figures, such as the Captured Bird which portrayed the dancer Niddy Impekoven in her iconic role. Many other famous performers were immortalized by Goldscheider, including the movie star Dolores del Rio, the opera singer Maria Witkowski, and the dancers Ruth Saint Denis and Lilian Harvey. The most desirable models were created by talented sculptors, such as Demetre Chiparus, Josef Lorenzl and Stefan Dakon, who also worked for other Austrian and German studios, including Augarten, Rosenthal and Meissen.

Marcel Goldscheider sold his share of the business to his brother Walter in January 1928 following disagreements on the direction of the company. The rise of Nazism prompted the Goldscheider family to emigrate in 1938. Marcel went to Stoke-on-Trent where he worked for Myott and later opened his own studio. Walter started a new factory in Trenton, New Jersey and returned to Vienna in 1950. Both brothers died in the early 1960s.

Related pages

Goldscheider’s Golden Debut
Art Nouveau & Art Deco
Carnival & Cabaret Exhibit
Generous Gifts