Royal Copenhagen: Danish Porcelain Since 1775
Royal Copenhagen is Denmark's premier porcelain manufacturer, founded in 1775 under the patronage of Queen Juliane Marie. The factory is best known for its Blue Fluted pattern (in continuous production since 1775, making it the world's longest-running porcelain pattern), its Flora Danica botanical service (one of the most elaborate and expensive dinnerware patterns ever produced), and its annual Christmas plates (produced since 1908). Royal Copenhagen porcelain is identified by the three wavy blue lines representing Denmark's three waterways, a mark used since the factory's founding.
Identification & Marks
- Three blue wavy lines: The primary mark, painted by hand under the glaze on every piece; present since 1775
- Crown mark: Added above the waves in certain periods; its presence helps date pieces
- Painter's marks: Small numbers or initials identifying the individual decorator
- Quality grades: First quality (no marks through the waves), second quality (one scratch), third quality (two or more scratches)
- "Denmark" or "Made in Denmark": Added for export pieces
- Date codes: Various systems used over the factory's history; reference charts are available
Major Product Lines
- Blue Fluted: Three versions: Plain (simple blue borders), Half Lace (with perforated edges), and Full Lace (with elaborate openwork borders); Full Lace is the most valuable
- Flora Danica: Botanical paintings from the 18th-century Flora Danica atlas; each piece depicts a specific Danish plant; the most expensive production dinnerware in the world
- Christmas plates: Annual series begun in 1908; blue-and-white scenes of Danish winter life; early plates (1908-1920s) are the most valuable
- Figurines: Animal and human figures; some by notable sculptors
- Stoneware: Art pottery by Axel Salto, Bode Willumsen, and Nils Thorsson; collected as Danish design icons
Auction Price Ranges
| Item | Low | Mid | High |
|---|---|---|---|
| Blue Fluted Plain plate | $15 | $40 | $100 |
| Blue Fluted Full Lace plate | $40 | $120 | $350 |
| Flora Danica plate | $300 | $800 | $2,500 |
| Flora Danica tureen | $3,000 | $10,000 | $40,000+ |
| Christmas plate (1908-1920) | $100 | $400 | $3,000+ |
| Christmas plate (post-1950) | $5 | $15 | $50 |
| Axel Salto vase | $1,000 | $5,000 | $50,000+ |
| Figurine (animal) | $30 | $100 | $500 |
Condition Factors
- Blue Fluted Full Lace pieces with openwork borders are extremely fragile; check every pierced element for chips and repairs
- Flora Danica botanical paintings must be crisp and undamaged; any paint loss significantly reduces these high-value pieces
- Christmas plates should be free of crazing and chips; early plates in mint condition bring strong premiums
- Figurine tips (ears, tails, fingers) are prone to damage; check under UV light for repairs
- First quality pieces (no scratches through the mark) are significantly more valuable than seconds
Collecting Tips
- Blue Fluted Half Lace and Full Lace are the most collected Royal Copenhagen dinnerware patterns; replacements for broken pieces are actively sought
- Flora Danica is the pinnacle of Royal Copenhagen production; a complete service is worth hundreds of thousands of dollars
- Christmas plates are among the most widely collected limited-edition items in the world; the first plate (1908) is worth $5,000-$10,000
- Axel Salto's organic sculptural vessels have become blue-chip Danish design collectibles with prices rising dramatically
- Annual figurines and special editions are produced for collector markets; research edition sizes before purchasing
- The factory's archive is well-documented, and pattern numbers can be cross-referenced for identification