Tea cup, saucer and plate belonging to Herta Kark
Object numberM2021/049:004
TitleTea cup, saucer and plate belonging to Herta Kark
DescriptionCup, saucer and side plate set for Rosenthal Tea Set belonging to Herta Kark. These items are part of a tea set produced by the Rosenthal Company.
The Rosenthal Company was founded by Philipp Rosenthal in Germany in 1884. The company was very successful, acquiring numerous factories throughout the region and employing thousands of workers. During the 1930s, the Rosenthal family were pressured to resign management of the company due to Philipps Jewish ancestry. Philipp died in 1937 and the family escaped abroad, including heir, Philip, who enlisted in the Scottish Air Force before ultimately working for the British Foreign Office. The company continued to produce porcelain throughout the war in a limited capacity. Ownership was reinstated to the Rosenthal family in 1950 with Philip Jr acting as CEO until 1981. The company continues to operate and produce porcelain ware.
Herta Regina Kark (nee Jacobus) was born on 27 June 1904 in Pomerania, Germany. She was the daughter of Emil Ephraim Jacobus and Dorothea (Dora) Jacobus (nee Wolff). Herta had four half siblings; Fritz (Frederic) Friedmann, Siegbert Solomon, Johanna (Hannah) Klarmann and Klara Mendel.
The family recollected Herta had married a German army general during the 1920s. However with the rise of Hitler and antisemitism, she was "kicked out" by her husband. The family describe that she was badly treated by the Gestapo in the 1930s and some of her possessions were seized by them. This included a silver pepper cellar in the shape of a man, the companion to a salt cellar in the shape of a woman.
The entire Jacobus family appears to have tried to escape Germany. Fritz and Siegbert were able to flee with their families to Australia between 1935 and 1937. Johanna Klarmann's family ended up living in Israel. Herta and her mother escaped to Australia, arriving on the 'Nestor' on 21 September 1939, where they lived close to Herta's brother, Siegbert who immigrated to Queensland in March 1937. She managed to bring some of her belongings with her from Germany, including a Rosenthal tea set, decorated fruit dish and silver salt cellar. They eventually settled in Randwick where Herta worked initially as a domestic cleaner to support her mother. At the end of the war, after searching for family, Herta was able to make contact with extended family in South Africa who were able to provide financial assistance to her and her mother.
Dora Jacobus passed away in 1948, aged 85 years. Herta passed away in 1987. These objects were donated in her memory by Carlene Blumberg.
The Rosenthal Company was founded by Philipp Rosenthal in Germany in 1884. The company was very successful, acquiring numerous factories throughout the region and employing thousands of workers. During the 1930s, the Rosenthal family were pressured to resign management of the company due to Philipps Jewish ancestry. Philipp died in 1937 and the family escaped abroad, including heir, Philip, who enlisted in the Scottish Air Force before ultimately working for the British Foreign Office. The company continued to produce porcelain throughout the war in a limited capacity. Ownership was reinstated to the Rosenthal family in 1950 with Philip Jr acting as CEO until 1981. The company continues to operate and produce porcelain ware.
Herta Regina Kark (nee Jacobus) was born on 27 June 1904 in Pomerania, Germany. She was the daughter of Emil Ephraim Jacobus and Dorothea (Dora) Jacobus (nee Wolff). Herta had four half siblings; Fritz (Frederic) Friedmann, Siegbert Solomon, Johanna (Hannah) Klarmann and Klara Mendel.
The family recollected Herta had married a German army general during the 1920s. However with the rise of Hitler and antisemitism, she was "kicked out" by her husband. The family describe that she was badly treated by the Gestapo in the 1930s and some of her possessions were seized by them. This included a silver pepper cellar in the shape of a man, the companion to a salt cellar in the shape of a woman.
The entire Jacobus family appears to have tried to escape Germany. Fritz and Siegbert were able to flee with their families to Australia between 1935 and 1937. Johanna Klarmann's family ended up living in Israel. Herta and her mother escaped to Australia, arriving on the 'Nestor' on 21 September 1939, where they lived close to Herta's brother, Siegbert who immigrated to Queensland in March 1937. She managed to bring some of her belongings with her from Germany, including a Rosenthal tea set, decorated fruit dish and silver salt cellar. They eventually settled in Randwick where Herta worked initially as a domestic cleaner to support her mother. At the end of the war, after searching for family, Herta was able to make contact with extended family in South Africa who were able to provide financial assistance to her and her mother.
Dora Jacobus passed away in 1948, aged 85 years. Herta passed away in 1987. These objects were donated in her memory by Carlene Blumberg.
Production placeGermany
Production date 1934 - 1939
Subjectescape, immigration, possessions, establishing new life
Object nametea-sets
Materialceramic
Dimensions
- a width: 125.00 mm
a height: 65.00 mm
b width: 155.00 mm
c width: 195.00 mm
Credit lineSydney Jewish Museum Collection, Donated by Carlene Blumberg
In appreciation to the Conference on Jewish Material Claims Against Germany (Claims Conference) for supporting this archival project.