WW2 “Schönheit der Arbeit” Deep Soup Plate – Hutschenreuther Selb Bavaria – Rare WL Monogram – 23 cm

This is an original WW2 Schönheit der Arbeit (SdA) deep soup plate, produced by the renowned Hutschenreuther Selb Bavaria porcelain factory. Measuring 23 cm , this plate stands out as a rare institution-issued SdA variant due to its decorative blue-line border and its distinctive WL monogram at the rim.

Rare SdA Cogwheel Marking

The underside features the official SdA stamp:

• Cogwheel emblem with swastika
• “Modell des Amtes – Beauty of Work”
• Hutschenreuther Selb Bavaria lion crest
• Factory batch mark F1

Porcelain issued under the SdA was produced in far smaller quantities than RAD or Wehrmacht tableware and was typically reserved for selected model workplaces ( Modellbetriebe ) within the Deutsche Arbeitsfront (DAF). Because of its limited distribution and post-war destruction, SdA porcelain is significantly harder to find today.

The WL Monogram – Institutional Issue

The elegant blue monogram at the top is a stylized ligature reading “WL” , designed in a late Art Deco industrial style. This monogram was not associated with the SdA itself, but with the specific workplace or department that used this tableware.

The most historically consistent interpretation is:

WL = Wirtschaftsleitung
(the company's economic/administrative management department)

The Wirtschaftsleitung was responsible for factory logistics, organization, and—importantly— canteen operations . Model workplaces under SdA guidance often commissioned their own monogrammed porcelain to emphasize order, hygiene, and modernity.

This makes the plate institution-specific , not generic, and therefore considerably rarer than standard SdA items.

Design & Condition

• Diameter: 23 cm
• Beautiful blue decorative rim line
• Strong glaze with light period wear
• No structural damage
• Extremely clean and prominent markings
• Excellent display value due to the WL monogram

Historical Significance

This piece represents a unique intersection between:

• Industrial design under the SdA
• Workplace modernization
• Company-specific dining culture
• High-quality German porcelain production

Monogrammed SdA pieces are exceptionally rare , as only a handful of companies adopted custom patterns. This plate is therefore an excellent collector's item and a superb addition to any SdA, DAF, or WW2 porcelain collection.