Royal Copenhagen, officially the Royal Porcelain Factory (Danish: Den Kongelige Porcelænsfabrik), is a Danish manufacturer of porcelain products and was founded in Copenhagen in 1775 under the protection of Danish Dowager Queen Juliane Marie. It is recognized by its factory mark, the three wavy lines above each other, symbolizing Denmark's three water ways: Storebælt, Lillebælt and Øresund.[1][2]
 | |
| Company type | Subsidiary |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1 May 1775 |
| Headquarters | Denmark, Copenhagen |
| Products | Porcelain |
| Parent | Fiskars |
| Website | www |
Early years
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Starting in the 17th century, Europeans, long fascinated by the blue and white porcelain exported from China during the Ming and Qing dynasties, began to imitate the precious ware.[3] The Royal Copenhagen manufactory's operations began in a converted post office in 1775. It was founded by chemist Frantz Heinrich Müller who was given a 50-year monopoly to create porcelain. Though royal patronage was not at first official, the first pieces manufactured were dining services for the royal family.[4] When, in 1779, King Christian VII assumed financial responsibility, the manufactory was styled the Royal Porcelain Factory.
The factory's pattern No. 1, still in production, is "Musselmalet", "mussel-painted", called "Blue Fluted" in English-speaking countries. The "mussel blue" is cobalt. The discovery in 1772 of a rich vein of cobalt in Norway, the junior part of the joint kingdom, was quickly developed using some nearby water power into an industry, grinding cobalt to a fine dust to incorporate in ceramic glazes and glass manufacture. The mellowed Blaafarveværket site is a tourist attraction today. During the first half of the 19th century cobalt rivaled fisheries as the greatest source of wealth obtained from Norway. Many of the German porcelain manufactories in the 19th century produced a version of intense blue "echt Kobalt" decor combined with patterned gilding, using the Norwegian cobalt from Denmark.
In 1790, Royal Copenhagen was commissioned by the king to produce a "Flora Danica" dinner service, with gilded edges and botanical motifs copied from the ongoing illustrated Flora Danica.[5] It was intended as a gift for Catherine the Great; Royal Copenhagen has produced hand-painted pieces of "Flora Danica" to this day.
In 1851, Royal Copenhagen showed its production at The Great Exhibition in London. In 1868, as a result of royal companies' privatization, the Royal Porcelain Factory came into private hands, though the "Royal" designation was retained.
In the mid-19th century the many large European porcelain companies generally stood aloof from artistic developments such as Japonisme, and the Arts and Crafts movement, concentrating on tableware, and often struggling to throw off what had become the deadening influence of Rococo and Neoclassical styles. In the 1870s most continued to produce an eclectic variety of revivalist styles, though sometimes experimenting with glazes, as at Meissen porcelain, which began to produce monochrome vases from 1883.[6]
The first major porcelain company to seriously change its styles was Royal Copenhagen, which made radical changes from 1883, when it was bought by Aluminia, an earthenware company. Arnold Krog, an architect under 30 with no practical experience of the industry, was made artistic director the next year, and rapidly shifted designs in the same directions art pottery was exploring, commissioning many painters to design for the factory. Japanese influences were initially very strong. The new wares soon won prizes at various international exhibitions, and most of the large porcelain makers began to move in similar directions,[7] causing problems for the smaller art potteries.
Shortly after Aluminia's acquisition, Royal Copenhagen production was moved to a modern factory building at Aluminia's site in Frederiksberg, on the outskirts of Copenhagen. At the Exposition Universelle (1889) in Paris, Royal Copenhagen won the Grand Prix, giving it international exposure.
Current company
editIn recent years, Royal Copenhagen acquired Georg Jensen in 1972, incorporated with Holmegaard Glass Factory in 1985, and finally Bing & Grøndahl in 1987. Royal Copenhagen was a part of a group of Scandinavian companies, Royal Scandinavia, together with Georg Jensen, and was owned by a Danish private equity fund, Axcel. Following Axcel's acquisition of Royal Scandinavia, Holmegaard Glasværk was sold in a MBO, and a controlling interest in the Swedish glass works Orrefors Kosta Boda was sold to New Wave Group.
In December 2012, Axcel sold Royal Copenhagen to the Finnish listed company Fiskars, which was founded in 1649.[8]
The company now produces its products in Thailand.[9][10][11]
Patterns (original manufacturer in parentheses)
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Most famous
edit- Flora Danica, Musselmalet (Blue Fluted), Blue Flower, Henriette, Saxon Flower, Fan, Gemina, and Gemma (Royal Copenhagen)
- Empire, Offenbach, Butterfly and Seagull (Bing & Grøndahl)
- Tranquebar and Blue Line (Aluminia).
New and currently in production
editBlue Fluted Plain (1775, revised in 1885), White Fluted (1775), Blue Fluted Mega (2000), Black Fluted Mega (2006), Princess (1978), Blue Fluted Half Lace (1888), Blue Fluted Full Lace (1775, revised in 1885), blomst (-), Hav (2019), White Elements (2008), Blue Elements (2011), Multicoloured Elements (2008), Star Fluted Christmas (2006), Flora (2012), Blue Palmette (2004), White Fluted Half Lace, Flora Danica (1790) [12]
Discontinued
edit- Blue Flower, Gemina, Gemma, Jingle Bells, Blue Line, Frijsenborg and Julian Marie (Royal Copenhagen)
- Seagull, Blue Henning Koppel, White Henning Koppel, Tema, Mexico (Bing & Grøndahl)
Collectables
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- Royal Copenhagen 2010 plaquettes: Numbered and named cobalt blue decorated plates depicted a variety of scenes, holidays, years, and occasions. Most commonly round, they measured about 8 cm (3-1/4") in diameter, with a blue scene on white background.
- Larger, approximately 18.5 cm, blue on white cobalt blue decorated plates, created annually for Mother's Day, the Olympics and other commemorations. Some weren't annual issues, instead depicted scenes. In 1895, Royal Copenhagen began producing annual Christmas plates, and continue to do so.[13]
- Porcelein pipes, beginning in 1969 and manufactured for about 15 years.
Christmas plates
editThe tradition of Christmas plates started hundreds of years ago in Europe, when wealthy people presented their servants with cakes and sweets, served on decorative plates of wood or metal at Christmas time. The servants referred to these gifts as their Christmas Plate. In 1895 Bing & Grøndahl produced the first Christmas plate made from porcelain, with the date inscribed, and has made one each year since. In 1908 the Royal Copenhagen factory followed suit. Each year these plates are made in limited quantities and have been collectable for over 100 years. Each plate is made in the year of issue only, after which the mould is destroyed, and the design is never made again.[14]
The themes since 1908 are:[15]
| Year | Christmas Plate | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1908 | Madonna & Child | |
| 1909 | Danish Landscape | |
| 1910 | The Magi | |
| 1911 | Thief Plate | |
| 1911 | Landscape | |
| 1912 | Christmas Tree | |
| 1913 | Frederiks Kirke | Frederik's Church |
| 1914 | Helligåndskirken | Church of the Holy Ghost |
| 1915 | Danish Landscape | |
| 1916 | Shepherds in the Field | |
| 1917 | Vor Frelsers Kirke | Church of Our Saviour, Christianshavn |
| 1918 | The Shepherds | |
| 1919 | In The Park | |
| 1920 | Mary & Child | |
| 1921 | Aabenraa Market | |
| 1922 | Three Singing Angels | |
| 1923 | Landscape | |
| 1924 | Sailing Ship | |
| 1925 | Christianshavn | |
| 1926 | Christianshavns Kanal | |
| 1927 | Ship's Boy at Tiller | |
| 1928 | Vicar's Family | |
| 1929 | Grundtvigs Kirke | Grundtvig's Church |
| 1930 | Fishing Boats | |
| 1931 | Mother & Child | |
| 1932 | Frederiksberg | |
| 1933 | Storebæltsfærgerne | Great Belt ferries |
| 1934 | Eremitageslottet | Hermitage Hunting Lodge |
| 1935 | Kronborg | |
| 1936 | Roskilde Domkirke | Roskilde Cathedral |
| 1937 | Copenhagen | |
| 1938 | Østerlars Church | |
| 1939 | Ship on Greenland Ice | |
| 1940 | The Good Shepherd | |
| 1941 | Village Church | |
| 1942 | Bell Tower | |
| 1943 | Flight Into Egypt | |
| 1944 | Winter Scene | |
| 1945 | Peaceful Motif | |
| 1946 | Zealand Church | |
| 1947 | The Good Shepherd | |
| 1948 | Nødebo Kirke | Nødebo Church |
| 1949 | Vor Frue Kirke | Church of Our Lady |
| 1950 | Boeslunde Church | |
| 1951 | Christmas Angel | |
| 1952 | Christmas In The Forest | |
| 1953 | Frederiksberg | |
| 1954 | Amalienborg | |
| 1955 | Fanø Girl | |
| 1956 | Rosenborg Slot | Rosenborg Castle |
| 1957 | The Good Shepherd | |
| 1958 | Grønland | Greenland |
| 1959 | Christmas Night | |
| 1960 | The Stag | |
| 1961 | Training Ship Denmark | |
| 1962 | Den lille havfrue | The Little Mermaid |
| 1963 | Højsager Mill | |
| 1964 | Fetching The Tree | |
| 1965 | Little Skaters | |
| 1966 | The Blackbird At Christmas | |
| 1967 | The Royal Oak | |
| 1968 | The Last Umiak | |
| 1969 | Old Farmyard | |
| 1970 | Christmas Rose & Cat | |
| 1971 | Hare In Winter | |
| 1972 | In The Desert | |
| 1973 | Train Homeward Bound | |
| 1974 | Owl | |
| 1975 | Marselisborg Slot | Marselisborg Palace |
| 1976 | Vibæk Mill | |
| 1977 | Immervad Bridge | |
| 1978 | Greenland Scene | |
| 1979 | Choosing The Tree | |
| 1980 | Bringing Home The Tree | |
| 1981 | Admiring The Tree | |
| 1982 | Waiting For Christmas | |
| 1983 | Merry Christmas | |
| 1984 | Jingle Bells | |
| 1985 | The Snowman | |
| 1986 | Christmas Holidays | |
| 1987 | Winter Birds | |
| 1988 | Copenhagen Skyline | |
| 1989 | Old Skating Pond | |
| 1990 | Tivoli Gardens | |
| 1991 | Santa Lucia Fest | |
| 1992 | The Royal Coach | |
| 1993 | Arriving Train | |
| 1994 | Home From Shopping | |
| 1995 | The Manor House | |
| 1996 | Street Lamps | |
| 1997 | Roskilde Domkirke | Roskilde Cathedral |
| 1998 | Boat Scene | |
| 1999 | The Sleigh Ride | |
| 2000 | Trimming The Tree | |
| 2001 | Watching The Birds | |
| 2002 | Winter In The Forest | |
| 2003 | Season's Greetings | |
| 2004 | Awaiting The Christmas Train | |
| 2005 | Hans Christian Andersen House | |
| 2006 | Kronborg | |
| 2007 | Christmas in Nyhavn | |
| 2008 | Copenhagen Christmas | |
| 2009 | Christmas at Amagertorv | Amager Square |
| 2010 | Christmas in Greenland | |
| 2011 | Waiting For Santa Claus | |
| 2012 | Sailing The North Sea | |
| 2013 | Copenhagen Harbour | |
| 2014 | Hans Christian Andersen | |
| 2015 | Christmas Days | |
| 2016 | Ice Skating In Copenhargen | |
| 2017 | Walk At The Lakes | |
| 2018 | Christmas Tree Market | |
| 2019 | Meeting in the field | |
| 2020 | Church Of Our Lady | Vor Frue Kirke |
| 2021 | Winter in the Garden | |
| 2022 | Frederiksborg castle |
Further reading
edit- Bojesen, Benedicte, and Steen Nottelmann. Royal Copenhagen Art, Industry. Lyngby: Sophienholm, 1996. ISBN 87-87883-57-0
- Christoffersen, Lars. Christmas Plates & Other Commemoratives from Royal Copenhagen and Bing & Grøndahl. A Schiffer book for collectors. Atglen, PA: Schiffer Pub, 2004. ISBN 0-7643-2089-0 Table of contents
- Heritage, Robert J. Royal Copenhagen Porcelain Animals and Figurines. A Schiffer book for collectors. Atglen, PA: Schiffer Pub, 1997. ISBN 0-7643-0101-2
- Kongelige Porcelainsfabrik, Bredo L. Grandjean, Dyveke Helsted, and Merete Bodelsen. The Royal Copenhagen Porcelain Manufactory 1775-1975. Copenhagen: The Manufactory, [eksp., Amagertorv 6], 1975. ISBN 87-980342-1-9
- Pope, Caroline, and Nick Pope. A Collector's Guide to Royal Copenhagen Porcelain. A Schiffer book for collectors. Atglen, PA: Schiffer, 2001. ISBN 0-7643-1386-X
- Wagner, Peter, Steen Nottelmann, Finn Andersen, and Paul Nesbitt. Flora Danica. Edinburgh: Royal Botanic Garden, Edinburgh, 1994. ISBN 0-9523869-0-9
- Winstone, H. V. F. Royal Copenhagen. [London]: Stacey International, 1984. ISBN 0-905743-37-7
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ Nottelham, Steen (2016-12-21). "Den Kongelige Porcelainsfabrik". Den Store Danske.
- ^ "Blue signature strokes | Three Blue Waves". www.royalcopenhagen.com. Retrieved 2024-02-27.
- ^ Lu Chenglong. "A Brief Introduction to Chinese Ceramics in Sweden". Gotheborg.com. Retrieved 2007-08-19.
- ^ "Danish Porcelain Pipes". Danishpipemakers.com. Retrieved 2015-10-28.
- ^ [1] Archived August 17, 2007, at the Wayback Machine
- ^ Battie, 161–162; Mundt, 23–26,
- ^ Battie, 162–163; Mundt, 30–31
- ^ [2] Archived March 16, 2014, at the Wayback Machine
- ^ "Royal Copenhagen Makes Moves into Thailand". Scandasia.com. Retrieved 2015-10-28.
- ^ Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Denmark. "ROYAL COPENHAGEN TO THAILAND". Denmark.dk. Archived from the original on 2008-05-03. Retrieved 2008-04-11.
- ^ "Field trip to Royal Copenhagen Thailand". Scandasia.com. Retrieved 2015-10-28.
- ^ "Royal Copenhagen". RoyalCopenhagen.com. Retrieved 2015-10-28.
- ^ "Danish Porcelain Pipes". Danishpipemakers.com. Retrieved 2015-10-28.
- ^ "Empire Gifts - More Info about **Royal Copenhagen Christmas Plates from 1908 to 2014". Empiregiftsandantiques.com. Retrieved 2015-10-28.
- ^ "Royal Copenhagen :: Royal Copenhagen/Christmas Plates (1908-2015)". GeolinOnline.com. Retrieved 2015-10-28.
- Battie, David, ed., Sotheby's Concise Encyclopedia of Porcelain, 1990, Conran Octopus, ISBN 1850292515
- Mundt, Barbara, in Hungarian Ceramics from the Zsolnay Manufactory, 1853–2001, ed. Ács, Piroska et al., 2002, Yale University Press, ISBN 0300097042, 9780300097047, google books
External links
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