WW2 Reichsarbeitsdienst (RAD) Large Porcelain Serving Platter – 1941 – Rare Crest Variant – 43 cm

This is an original and impressive WW2 Reichsarbeitsdienst (RAD) porcelain serving platter, produced in 1941 and marked with a rarely encountered RAD crest featuring a crowned shield and stylised fir motif. Large institutional serving pieces such as this oval platter were used in RAD camp kitchens and staff dining halls, and are significantly less common than standard RAD bowls or plates.

Distinctive RAD Marking – 1941

The underside displays:

• The bold wartime text “Reichsarbeitsdienst”
• A crowned shield emblem, an unusual variant found on specific RAD regional districts
• The year 1941, marking it as mid-war production

This crest style is scarce and differs from the more commonly seen simple text markings, making it especially desirable to collectors.

Large & Impressive Dimensions

With a length of approx. 43 cm, this platter is far larger than typical RAD mess tableware.

Such oversized serving pieces were generally reserved for:

• Camp kitchens distributing food in bulk
• Staff or leadership dining areas (Führerheim / Stabsessen)
• Communal serving during major labour deployments

Because of their size and heavy use, very few survived.

Condition

• Strong glaze with light period wear
• Minor surface marks consistent with wartime use
• No cracks or structural damage
• Markings remain clear and fully legible

This level of preservation is exceptional for an 80-year-old utilitarian RAD piece.

Historical Context

The Reichsarbeitsdienst operated hundreds of labour and training camps throughout the Reich. Tableware varied significantly per district and supplier, resulting in rare marking variants like the one seen here — a crowned regional crest combined with the 1941 stamp.

Large serving platters like this one are among the hardest RAD porcelain items to obtain because:

• They were produced in very limited numbers
• They were used intensively in camp kitchens
• Most were broken or discarded after the war

Today they represent some of the most impressive display-ready RAD artefacts.