Rosenthal French Bulldog by Fritz Diller, early 20th century

Porcelain dog figurine

Available

Available on eBay

Rosenthal French Bulldog by Fritz Diller, early 20th century — Listing photo

Rosenthal French Bulldog by Fritz Diller, early 20th century

Porcelain dog figurine

Available

Available on eBay

Signed early Rosenthal porcelain French bulldog by animal sculptor Fritz Diller, with Rosenthal Kunst-Abteilung / Selb-Bavaria factory mark.

Description

A distinctive early Rosenthal porcelain French bulldog designed by German animal sculptor Fritz Diller. The figurine is modelled in a confident standing pose with large upright ears and finished in soft grey-brown, cream-white and pale pink underglaze tones.

The figure bears the visible artist signature F. Diller and the original Rosenthal Kunst-Abteilung / Selb-Bavaria factory mark. No model number is visible on the piece, even under close magnified inspection, so no unverified model number has been assigned.

Measurements: length approx. 12 cm; width approx. 4 cm. Weight: 91.5 g.

Very good antique condition overall. No obvious chips, cracks or repairs are visible in the current inspection/photos. Please review all final photographs carefully, as they form part of the condition description.

From a private family collection. An expressive and beautifully painted early Rosenthal animal figure with strong collector appeal.

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The Story Behind

Fritz Diller (1875–1946) was a German sculptor and porcelain modeller known above all for animals. Trained first as a woodcarver, he later designed for leading German makers including Rosenthal, WMF and Nymphenburg. He worked as a freelance designer for Rosenthal from 1913 to 1927, and 1913 was especially rich in canine subjects: the Rosenthal Kunst-Abteilung catalogue records multiple Diller bulldogs alongside dachshunds, setters, shepherds and other breeds.

Diller’s interest in dogs was not only artistic. He was a hunter, maintained close ties to dog-breeding circles and served as a judge at pedigree dog shows. That familiarity helps explain why his dog models feel less like generic decorative animals and more like observed individuals — alert, slightly stubborn and full of breed-specific character.

This small French bulldog belongs to that world. It is signed F. Diller and bears the Rosenthal Kunst-Abteilung / Selb-Bavaria mark. No model number is visible on this example, so the exact model remains unassigned, but the combination of artist signature, factory mark and period securely places it within Diller’s Rosenthal animal work.

Brand: Rosenthal / Fritz Diller
Era: Early 20th century, likely c. 1910s–1920s
Origin: Selb, Bavaria, Germany
Materials: Glazed porcelain with hand-painted / underglaze decoration
Dimensions: Length approx. 12 cm; width approx. 4 cm
Weight: 91.5 g
Condition: Very good antique condition — No obvious chips, cracks or repairs are visible in the current inspection/photos. Minor age-related surface wear may be present. Please review the final listing photographs carefully before publishing.