Antique of the Week: German Porcelain Urn

As everyone in Kensington knows, Antique Row is one of the community’s points of pride.  Howard Avenue and its side streets are lined with shops specializing in antique furniture, rugs, vintage toys, used books and more. This large presence in the community sparked our feature, Antique of the Week, where we will showcase a different item or curiosity each week to bring attention to pieces from the past.

This week, we’re featuring a hand-painted German decorative porcelain urn. John Booker, the proprietor of Antiques & Uniques, said the urn is circa 1870. Even though there are no markings of a company or manufacturer, hand-painted porcelain urns were common during the late 1800s.

The painting represents an idyllic oasis, but also a bygone era. In fact, by July 1870, the Kingdom of Prussia and France were engaged in the Franco-Prussian War, which led to the demise of Napoleon III and the unification of Germany.  

Booker remarked that the decorative floral painting on the back of the urn is worth noting for its intricate craftsmanship. He is currently offering this piece for $600. is located at 3762 B Howard Avenue. The phone number is 301-942-3324.