Reader's Mystery Horses Identified

Echt Altmann Mare and Foal

Juanita Gartman

A reader is curious about their porcelain figurine. After some research, I have found the unbridled truth (sorry, I couldn’t help myself).

Question: Is there any way to date and identify this small statue? Any help would be appreciated.

Answer: Your figurine, aptly called “Mare and Foal,” was made by Echt Altmann, a name associated with porcelain figurines, particularly those depicting horses and dogs. The term “Echt” is German for “genuine” or “authentic,” suggesting that these pieces are authentic works by Altmann. However, the exact origins of the Altmann brand are somewhat ambiguous.

Some collectors believe that Echt Altmann was an early name used by the renowned German porcelain manufacturer Kaiser. According to discussions in collector communities, these figurines were produced in Japan for the European market by a factory known as Seven Pines, one of Japan’s oldest earthenware producers.

While Echt Altmann’s precise history remains somewhat unclear, it is associated with high-quality porcelain figurines produced in the mid-20th century, possibly involving collaborations between German and Japanese manufacturers and distributors. These pieces are known for their detailed craftsmanship and are sought after by collectors of vintage porcelain.

Figurines may bear the Echt Altmann mark (above), a “D” within a triangle (like yours below), or no markings at all. Norcrest, a company known for importing and distributing porcelain items in the 1960s and 1970s, was a significant distributor of Echt Altmann figurines.

This second Echt Altmann mark is often found on Norcrest imports.

Juanita Gartman

Similar figurines to yours generally sell for around $40 – $60 (WorthPoint and eBay). Although more common several years ago, they occasionally sell for as much as $120. Some older, artist-signed Echt Altman pieces can fetch hundreds, like the Galloping Horse Duo by German artist J. Stewarle below, which sold for $449.75 on eBay in June 2020.