Germany, middle of 20th century, porcelain, mark Lichte. Cobalt porcelain trio with gilding. Lichte was one of the most renowned and long-lasted manufactures in Germany. In 1822 ceramist Johann Heinrich Leder received the privilege of the principality of Schwarzburg-Rudolfstadt to establish a porcelain workshop. Participation in two World Exhibitions (1900 in Paris and 1904 in St. Louis) brought fame to Lichte and "repurposing" for sculpture. In 2012, the manufactory ceased to exist. A large collection of Lichte porcelain is displayed in the Otto Ludwig Museum at Eisfeld Palace in Thuringia. Germany was the first country in Europe to unravel the secret of a porcelain mass similar to that of China, which China had kept for over 1000 years. The terms "china" or "bone china" mean "porcelain". In 1708 two alchemists, Böttger and Tschirnhaus, worked to unravel the secret of making porcelain in the service of Augustus the Strong, Elector of Saxony and an ardent admirer of porcelain. In 1710, the first European porcelain manufactory, Meissen, was created, and a few years later the secret of German porcelain production spread throughout the continent. And today Germany continues to be one of the world leaders in its production. Mark "Fine China Lichte" was put from 1972 to 1985. "Echte Kobalt" means "real cobalt". Weight 540 g Cup height 7.5cm, diameter 7.5cm Saucer diameter 15 cm Dessert plate diameter 19 cm