KPM Berlin: 250-year history of luxury porcelain production

Cup Marie Antoinette Dmitrovskaya
Cup Marie Antoinette Dmitrovskaya

KPM Berlin (Royal Porcelain Manufactory in Berlin) is a trademark known since 1763. It was founded by King Frederick II of Prussia when he bought out a small Berlin factory that had opened twelve years earlier. Since then, the cobalt blue royal scepter, well known to connoisseurs of German porcelain, has become the symbol of KPM Berlin. The full name of the production is Königliche Porzellan-Manufaktur Berlin.

KPM Berlin has been operating for more than 250 years, still located in the historic city center. The factory is famous for premium hand-painted porcelain products. This is a desirable acquisition for collectors and connoisseurs of fine things.

Antique collectible porcelain goblet
Antique collectible porcelain goblet

History of KPM Berlin

KPM Berlin had a predecessor, founded in 1751 by Wilhelm Caspar Wegely. The Seven Years’ War, which engulfed almost all of Europe and many other countries, led to the closure of the factory. In this large-scale conflict, the colonial interests of the largest European powers were decided.

KURLAND, Heritage Edition Red Cross
KURLAND, Heritage Edition Red Cross

By the end of the war, the trader Johann Ernst Gotzkowsky tried to restore the company. He bought the remaining equipment and production secrets, hired experienced artists and potters. Many masters previously worked at the Meissen manufactory. They produced fine porcelain in terms of artistic and technical characteristics. Despite this, the economic crisis of 1763 led Gotzkowski to bankruptcy.

Frederick II decided to take control of the manufactory and bought it out. To ensure the success of the enterprise, the king banned the import of foreign porcelain and began to regularly order luxurious dishes. More than 20 services were made for him, many of them include over 450 items. The dishes were painted in the Rococo style, the design was often chosen to match the interior of a particular castle. In 1772, Catherine II received a dessert set made at this factory as a gift.

Collectible jug in the shape of an ask. Dating - 1850
Collectible jug in the shape of an ask. Dating – 1850

With the participation of the king, production was constantly developing and becoming more complicated.

In 1784, after four years of work, a special blue shade was obtained, called “Blue Morant”. In 1790, by order of the Duke of Courland, a luxurious service “Courland” was created, decorated in the style of classicism. This shape with angular handles has become very popular. It continues to be produced to this day. A few years later, the first steam engine in the state appeared in production.

Cup and saucer Ernst August from KPM. Germany. Dating 1830s.
Cup and saucer Ernst August from KPM. Germany. Dating 1830s.

In the 18th century, KPM Berlin continued to produce products of excellent quality. Among them are decorative painted plates, tea pairs, vases, figurines. There are new paints based on chromium oxide and iridium. The palette has become so diverse that painting can compete with oil painting. A tea set for Josephine Bonaparte with a floral pattern and gift sets for the generals who fought against Napoleon deserve special mention.

In 1871, the factory was modernized and equipped with new furnaces, which then worked for more than 90 years. At the end of the 18th century, Hermann Seger made a great contribution to the development of manufactory. Under him, a research laboratory was opened, new types of glaze and soft porcelain were obtained. Art Nouveau was clearly manifested in the design. Ceres tableware, created in 1912, became an outstanding work of this era.

Empire style vase
Empire style vase

KPM Berlin: 20th century and now

Until 1918, the production remained royal property, and then passed to the state. It was renamed the State Porcelain Manufactory (Staatliche Porzellan-Manufaktur) while retaining the KPM brand. In artistic terms, the beginning of the 20th century was marked by collaboration with the Bauhaus artists, who created the Urbino service in 1931. He received the Grand Prix at the World Exhibition in Paris. This is a real hymn to functionality. For example, an inverted tureen lid turns into a vase.

KURLAND 6-piece service, Royal Marbre
KURLAND 6-piece service, Royal Marbre

In the late 1930s, in honor of the 175th anniversary, the Arkadia uniform was developed. It was painted with scenes from Greek mythology or images of meadow flowers. During World War II, production moved to another city, but in 1956 it returned to its original location. In 1988, it celebrated its 225th anniversary and again received the name of the Royal Porcelain Manufactory.

At the beginning of the 21st century, the factory was renovated and received the status of a cultural heritage site. Now it employs 170 craftsmen who continue to create porcelain in the luxury segment. This includes the best products developed in the history of the manufactory. You can buy dishes in the style of Rococo, Classicism, Art Nouveau and Postmodern. In 2013, on the occasion of the 250th anniversary, sets appeared in a new design: Kurland Blanc Nouveau and Kurland Royal Noir.

Gift of Frederick William III to Pope Pius VII, c. 1823
Gift of Frederick William III to Pope Pius VII, c. 1823
Lily decorative dish
Lily decorative dish
KPM Berlin. Octagonal Plate
Octagonal Plate
KPM Berlin. Porcelain plates KPM.
Porcelain plates KPM.
KPM Berlin. Set porcelain tea service
Set porcelain tea service
KPM Berlin. Underglaze mark in the form of a scepter on an item from 1841
Underglaze mark in the form of a scepter on an item from 1841
KPM Berlin. Porcelain created under Weghel was marked with the letter W, and under Gotzkowski - with the letter G.
Porcelain created under Weghel was marked with the letter W, and under Gotzkowski – with the letter G.
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