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Königliche Porzellan-Manufaktur (KPM) Ceramics

German

Known by just KPM, the Königliche Porzellan-Manufaktur company has been synonymous with exquisite porcelain works fit for nobility and royalty for over 200 years. KPM porcelain plates, centerpieces and sculptures are painstakingly formed through ages-old techniques and meticulously painted by hand, producing one-of-a-kind quality.

KPM began in Berlin in 1763, founded by King Frederick II of Prussia, after two other entrepreneurs had been unsuccessful in establishing porcelain manufacturing companies in Germany. In 1878, KPM developed a relationship with the Chemical-Technical Research Institute and its director, Hermann Seger. This partnership gave KPM early access to advances in porcelain production and coloration.

KPM flourished under the banner of royal ownership until 1918, when it became a state-run entity after the monarchy was disbanded following Germany’s loss in World War I. With the rise of the Nazi Party in the 1930s, many of the company’s top designers and directors were dismissed, denied exhibitions or forced to flee Germany due to Jewish heritage or loyalty to Jewish colleagues. In 1943, an Allied bombing raid destroyed the KPM factory, and the company was not reestablished until after the war.

KPM reopened in Franconia and began producing porcelain wares. Some staff also worked on reconstructing the historic KPM site in Berlin. In 1957, manufacturing returned to the original company premises.

KPM rebounded over the next few decades. In 2006, in a step to privatize companies throughout the country, German financier Jörg Woltmann bought the organization.

Since its privatization, the company has opened many galleries and shops around Germany and has worked in collaboration with notable brands like Bottega Veneta and Bugatti motor company in recent years.

Although rooted in the Rococo style, KPM has adapted its craft to meet the current trends, all while maintaining the highest levels of excellence throughout its centuries of operation. It continues to produce lavish, elegant porcelain works for elite clientele the world over. 

On 1stDibs, browse a vast selection of Königliche Porzellan-Manufaktur serveware, decorative objects, lighting and more.

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Creator: Königliche Porzellan-Manufaktur (KPM)
Antique German Very Large Painted Porcelain Blue Gold Vase KPM
By Königliche Porzellan-Manufaktur (KPM)
Located in London, GB
Antique German Very Large Painted Porcelain Blue Gold Vase KPM German, c. 1840 Height 170cm, diameter 65cm This remarkable and very large porcelain vase was created by the renowned ...
Category

Early 19th Century German Neoclassical Antique Königliche Porzellan-Manufaktur (KPM) Ceramics

Materials

Porcelain

Pair of KPM Porcelain Plaques Franz Wagner Signed Sceptre Mark 19th Century
By KPM Porcelain, Franz Wagner, Wagner Kpm, Königliche Porzellan-Manufaktur (KPM)
Located in Newark, England
Featuring Two Females In Period Dress From our Ceramics collection, we are delighted to offer two KPM Porcelain Plaques by Franz Wagner sold as a pair. The KPM Porcelain Plaques fitted within their original gilt wood frames with scrolling borders both signed to the base of the frame F. Wagner each featuring a portrait of a female, the first plaque is a portrait of Charlotte, Lady Milnes after the British 18th century painter George Romney currently held in the Frick Collection, Manhattan, New York. The second plaque features the lute player after German 19th century historical portrait painter Friedrich August von Kaulbach. The Lady Milnes plaque is visibly signed to the lower right corner “Wagner” which is partially hidden by the frame, the second frame does not have a visible signature and is possibly hidden within the frame or very faint. Each of the plaques bear original provenance to the rear and are held within their original frames stating they were purchased in 1959 at £75 for the pair and were owned in a collection in Jersey along with collection numbers. Both plaques are firmly attributed to KPM and are well known plaques by the company under Wagners hand, we have not removed the original framing to confirm the mark and therefore are attributing them only. The KPM Porcelain Plaques date to the second half of the 19th century Circa 1890. KPM (Königliche Porzellan-Manufaktur – The Royal Porcelain Factory) in Berlin was founded in 1763 Frederick the Great (King Frederick II). Its actual origins, however, lie in three private enterprises which, under crown patronage, were trying to establish the production of “white gold” (porcelain) in Berlin from the mid-18th century onwards.The company logo is a sceptre, which is stamped (painted prior to 1837) or incised on every piece. All painted pieces produced by KPM are also signed by the painter. KPM is still producing porcelain today. Franz Wagner was from a famous family of painters working from Starhemberggasse in Vienna, Austria in the late nineteenth century. F. Wagner became known for his exceptional quality reproductions of historic old masters on porcelain for Vienna and KPM (Königliche Porzellan-Manufaktur). There is little information regarding his career but he was a known painter for Vienna and KPM active in the late 19th century to the early 20th century. George Romney (1734-1802) was born in Beckside, Dalton-in-Furness, Lancashire (now part of Cumbria), to John Romney a cabinet maker and Anne Simpson. Raised in a cottage named High Cocken in modern-day Barrow-in-Furness, he was sent to school at nearby Dendron until he was withdrawn at the age of 11 to apprentice under his father’s business. He proved to have a natural ability for drawing and making things from wood including violins (which he played throughout his life). From the age of 15 Romney was informally taught art by a local watchmaker called John Williamson. His official studies began in earnest in 1755, when he went to Kendal, at the age of 21, for a 4-year apprenticeship with local artist Christopher Steele, who had himself studied with distinguished French artist Carlo Vanloo. In October 1756, Romney married Mary Abbot...
Category

Late 19th Century German Art Nouveau Antique Königliche Porzellan-Manufaktur (KPM) Ceramics

Materials

Porcelain, Gesso

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Königliche Porzellan-manufaktur (kpm) ceramics for sale on 1stDibs.

Königliche Porzellan-Manufaktur (KPM) ceramics are available for sale on 1stDibs.

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