Makers & Retailers - Copenhagen – Royal Porcelain Factory

Copenhagen – Royal Porcelain Factory

Royal Copenhagen Porcelain Factory (1775-Present)

In the 17th century, European fascination with the blue and white porcelain imported from China’s Ming and Qing dynasties led to local attempts at imitation. Royal Copenhagen was established in 1775 by chemist Frantz Heinrich Müller, who was granted a 50-year monopoly to produce porcelain in Denmark. Operating out of a former post office, the factory’s first commissions were dining services for the Danish royal family. By 1779, King Christian VII assumed financial control of the company, officially designating it the Royal Porcelain Factory. The factory’s most iconic design, “Musselmalet” (Blue Fluted), remains in production today. The signature cobalt blue color came from a rich vein of cobalt discovered in Norway in 1772, which Denmark developed into a thriving industry. This cobalt was used not only by Royal Copenhagen but also by German porcelain makers who employed it in their own intricate designs throughout the 19th century.

Royal Copenhagen Porcelain SEA LIFE Plates Service sold by Jacksons Antique

In 1790, Royal Copenhagen received a commission from the Danish king to produce a “Flora Danica” dinner service, featuring botanical illustrations from the ongoing Flora Danica project and gilded edges. Originally intended as a gift for Catherine the Great of Russia, the service is still crafted by hand today, remaining a hallmark of the company’s luxury offerings. Royal Copenhagen gained international recognition when it displayed its wares at London’s Great Exhibition of 1851. In 1868, following Denmark’s privatization of royal enterprises, the company was privatized, though it retained the “Royal” title. During the 19th century, while many European porcelain manufacturers clung to traditional Rococo and Neoclassical designs, Royal Copenhagen began to explore new artistic movements, including Japonisme and the Arts and Crafts movement.

A pivotal shift came in 1883 when the company was purchased by Aluminia, a Danish earthenware manufacturer. The following year, architect Arnold Krog, then under 30 and with no prior experience in porcelain, was appointed as artistic director. Krog introduced bold new designs, drawing heavily on Japanese influences and employing painters to innovate within the medium. Under Krog’s leadership, Royal Copenhagen emerged as a leader in art pottery, winning numerous international accolades, including the prestigious Grand Prix at the 1889 Exposition Universelle in Paris, which cemented its global reputation. Following Aluminia’s acquisition of the company, Royal Copenhagen moved its operations to a modern factory in Frederiksberg, a district on the outskirts of Copenhagen, further enhancing its production capabilities and expanding its reach in the global market.

Close up of the Royal Copenhagen mark on an exhibition vase sold by Jacksons Antique

In recent decades, Royal Copenhagen expanded its portfolio by acquiring several prominent brands. In 1972, it took over Georg Jensen, followed by the incorporation of Holmegaard Glass Factory in 1985 and Bing & Grøndahl in 1987. These acquisitions made Royal Copenhagen part of the Royal Scandinavia group, which also included Georg Jensen and was owned by the Danish private equity firm Axcel. After Axcel acquired Royal Scandinavia, Holmegaard Glasværk was sold through a management buyout, and the Swedish glass company Orrefors Kosta Boda was sold to the New Wave Group.

In December 2012, Axcel sold Royal Copenhagen to Fiskars, a Finnish company founded in 1649. Today, Royal Copenhagen manufactures its products in Thailand.