Pair of KPM Porcelain Portrait Vases
View Similar Items
Pair of KPM Porcelain Portrait Vases
About the Item
- Creator:KPM Porcelain (Designer)
- Dimensions:Height: 13.4 in (34.04 cm)Width: 6.5 in (16.51 cm)Depth: 5 in (12.7 cm)
- Sold As:Set of 2
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:19th Century
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use. Very good, one of the vases has a small scratch on the surface; has been repaired.
- Seller Location:Westport, CT
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU107541332720
KPM Porcelain
The Königliche Porzellan-Manufaktur Berlin, or KPM (Royal Porcelain Factory, Berlin, in English) was one of the most influential porcelain factories to emerge in 18th-century Germany, along with Nymphenburg and Meissen. KPM was the third incarnation of a company originally founded in 1751 by Wilhelm Caspar Wegely to take advantage of the burgeoning market for “white gold.” On the verge of bankruptcy, Wegely sold his inventory and tools to Johann Ernst Gotzkowsky, who in 1761 established another porcelain factory, which also failed, and was subsequently taken over by Frederick II of Prussia in 1763. Like Augustus II, Elector of Saxony, the patron of Meissen and a keen collector who described himself as suffering (quite happily) from “porcelain sickness,” Frederick II was proud to refer to himself as KPM’s “best customer.” KPM produces china and figurines to this day, and throughout its long history, it has been a style-setter for elegant tableware, particularly in the 1930’s, the period during which their popular patterns Urbino, Urania and Arkadia were designed.
Thanks to its royal patronage, KPM had the resources and contacts necessary to establish itself as a leading luxury producer, and supplied Russian and European elites with tableware in the Rococo and Neoclassical styles, as well as monumental vases, and decorative plaques. Many of these objects can be found today in major museums as a result of Frederick II’s penchant for sending KPM porcelain as diplomatic gifts throughout Europe. Unlike Meissen, which was known for crafting porcelain sculptures of dazzling complexity, KPM is revered for the precision and splendor of its surface decoration, and for its porcelain plaques depicting scenes from history and mythology. One especially lovely example circa 1790 is a neocalssical-style tea service decorated with gold accents and a grisaille design of figures from the ancient world. By contrast, this boldly colorful narrative cup and saucer set from the 1840’s depicts scenes from real life as colorfully as a painting. The set was commissioned by a gentleman for his wife as a tongue-in-cheek gift commemorating her misadventures while in town for a visit to the opera, which resulted in her opera glasses being stolen. The saucer shows the thief and the glasses, and the cup reveals the scene of the crime in vivid hues.
KPM was forced to move from its original location in 1867 due to the building of the new Prussian Parliament building, and this afforded the company the opportunity to to create a new factory with the newest equipment and materials of the day. With the growing popularity of Art Nouveau and the western fascination with Asian ceramics, KPM began formulating glazes that evoked the color palette and rich surfaces of Chinese porcelain. By the turn of the century, KPM was exhibiting its wares to a global audience at international expositions. At the end of World War I with the collapse of the Prussian monarchy, KPM was renamed the State Porcelain Manufactory Berlin, continuing to use the name KPM and its use of the cobalt blue sceptre mark that is painted on the bottom of every piece.
By the late 1920’s, the designers and craftsmen of KPM were inspired by the tenets of Modernism, particularly the styles of the Bauhaus and the Deutscher Werkbund. During this period, the firm’s aim was to produce useful household porcelain for a range of consumers, rather than catering to a small elite. Among the most successful patterns of this era was designer Trude Petri’s Urbino line, which is still produced today. Following World War II, KPM was temporarily housed in the town of Selb, and only returned to its rebuilt quarters in Berlin in 1957. In the 1980s, KPM became an private company independent of the state, and began to focus production on the preservation of historic forms, designs, and techniques. KPM continues to collaborate with designers from all over the world, most recently on the Berlin dinnerware service with designer Enzo Mari, and a collaboration with the luxury brands Bottega Veneta and Bugatti.
- Porcelain Vase, Royal KPM, Germany Bavaria, 1960sBy Royal Porzellan Bavaria KPM Germany Handarbeit.Located in Chorzów, PLRoyal KPM porcelain vase made in Germany in the 1960s. Very good condition without damage. Measures: height 15.5 cm, diameter 12 cm, outlet diameter 7 cm.Category
Vintage 1960s German Other Vases
MaterialsPorcelain
$86 Sale Price20% Off - Berlin KPM Guild Royal Blue Porcelain VaseBy Königliche Porzellan-Manufaktur (KPM)Located in Guaynabo, PRBerlin KPM pedestal vaulted vase. It is hand painted on the front with a scene of Kronprinzepalais building redesigned by Johann Heinrich Strack for Prince Frederick William of Pruss...Category
Antique 19th Century German Rococo Porcelain
MaterialsBronze
- Tall KPM Porcelain VaseBy KPM PorcelainLocated in New York, NYA KPM designed tall porcelain vase with blue glaze.Category
Vintage 1970s German Vases
MaterialsCeramic
$5,800 - Set of Four Porcelain Vases by KPM 'Königliche Porzellan-Manufaktur', circa 1960By Königliche Porzellan-Manufaktur (KPM)Located in McKinney, TXSet of four Mid-Century Modern Porcelain vases by KPM Royal Porcelain Factory in Germany, circa 1960s. This set includes four white matte bisque unglazed textured porcelain vases with orange and maroon glazed accents and silver plated accents. All interiors are glazed. All marked KPM on base. Dimensions: Large pitcher vase with handle 13" height / 3" diameter Tall Vase with silver and orange accents 11.5" height / 2.5" diameter Medium vase with maroon and orange accents 7" height / 3" diameter Small vase with silver accents 6" height / 2.5" diameter About Königliche Porzellan...Category
Vintage 1960s German Mid-Century Modern Porcelain
MaterialsPorcelain
$1,280 Sale Price / set39% Off - Pair of Large Porcelain VasesLocated in New York, NYPair of circa 1940's Italian porcelain vases with painted black and white decoration. Measurements: Height: 26" Diameter: 11"Category
Vintage 1940s Italian Vases
MaterialsPorcelain
$6,200 / set - Large Pair of Porcelain VasesLocated in Paris, FRLarge pair of vases with green background called «green garden» in porcelain resting on a base with gold flutings. The shape of the vase is architectured with handles decorated with stylized leafy garlands, ribbons and cords in white porcelain. The body of each vase contains a cartel with a pastoral scene, one of which represents a couple of young shepherds according to Jean-François Boucher...Category
Antique 19th Century French Napoleon III Vases
MaterialsPorcelain
$13,949 / set