The unsuspecting buyer will believe it,” she says.Styling your home with vintage, new and antique sculptures means adding a touch that can meaningfully transform the space. “Take any porcelain and paint a mark on it. She notes that the easiest way to counterfeit KPM porcelain is to copy the mark, so it’s especially important for collectors to know what to look for. When it comes to determining whether or not a piece is authentic KPM porcelain, Gilgenmann recommends that collectors consult with a specialist. For example, a piece made in Berlin in the 1980s might have the following mark: “ROYAL PORZELLAN KPM GERMANY.” KPM Porcelain Marks: What to Look For Explore the timeline below to see how KPM porcelain marks evolved over time.įrom 1962 forward, KPM marks became more modern, often depicting the letters “KPM” and the place name indicating where the object was made. Today, these markings help specialists identify specific periods within the company’s history. KPM Porcelain Marksįrom the company’s founding in 1763, the company has used a number of key markings and symbols on the bottom of a porcelain piece. Sold for €150 via Auctionata Paddle8 (February 2016). KPM, 4 Porcelain Vases in Various Shapes, Germany, 1962-1992. In particular, he required KPM artists to make dinner sets matching his extravagant interiors, and he also gave dinner sets as diplomatic gifts. Frederick II was a great admirer of the style and commissioned many KPM works for the purpose of displaying them in his palace. Rococo’s name is derived from the French word “rocaille,” meaning “shell” or “rock.” The Rococo aesthetic first became popular in France during the early to mid-18th century, during which there was a push toward asymmetrical, free-flowing designs. KPM Porcelain Styles Rococo (Early to Mid-18th Century) Since then, KPM sales galleries have opened across Germany, and the international market for KPM porcelain has flourished.
KPM GERMANY BEARS HAND STAND FULL
In 2006, Berlin banker Jorg Woltmann assumed full control of KPM as its sole shareholder, effectively privatizing the historic company. The German state began running the company in 1918, upholding its traditions and overseeing the production of contemporary wares and figurines.
Technological advances during the 1860s led to increasingly modern modes of production and design, but even so, KPM continued to value craftsmanship, and KPM artists devoted time and care to produce unique, handmade objects.Ī Berlin KPM porcelain plaque with the royal family. KPM porcelain made during this period reflects not only the fashions of the time but also Prussian royal taste. Royal Beginningsįrom the company’s founding in 1763 to the abdication of Emperor William II in 1918, KPM was owned by seven kings and emperors. He also commissioned many KPM porcelain objects to be made in the Rococo style for his palace. He invested large sums of money into the company and granted it the use of the royal scepter as its emblem. Frederick II greatly admired the factory’s “white gold,” a type of porcelain so fine and translucent that it closely mirrored the high-quality porcelain made in China. KPM is an acronym for Königliche Porzellan-Manufaktur Berlin, which translates to “Royal Porcelain Factory in Berlin.” The company was founded in 1763 by Frederick II of Prussia, who bought the factory from its previous owner, Johann Ernst Gotzkowsky, in the wake of its bankruptcy.
The results are attractive classic vessel shapes that are easy to recognize, and unusual colors.” The History of KPM Porcelain Ingrid Gilgenmann, a decorative art specialist at German auction house Lempertz, says, “Over the last 100 years, KPM has specialized in modern shapes very good designers. These works are also valued for their ties to Prussian royalty and the German state, as well as their strong emphasis on quality and handmade design.ĭr. Because of its long history, there are many KPM porcelain objects available in the market today that reflect the stylistic shifts and cultural influences that drove the company’s long history of craftsmanship. KPM, a hugely successful porcelain manufacturer that has been in business for more than 250 years, has specialized in the production of high-quality decorative art.