Porcelain Candelabrum Lamp, KPM, Berlin, 19th Century
About the Item
- Creator:KPM Porcelain (Manufacturer)
- Dimensions:Height: 36.62 in (93 cm)Width: 7.88 in (20 cm)Depth: 7.88 in (20 cm)
- Style:Neoclassical (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:19th Century
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use. Minor losses.
- Seller Location:Madrid, ES
- Reference Number:
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.
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: Madrid, Spain
- Return PolicyThis item cannot be returned.
- Gas Lamp in Glass, Gilded Bronze and Enameled Porcelain, 19th CenturyLocated in Madrid, ESGas lamp in glass, gilded bronze and enameled porcelain, 19th century. A pedestal with rockery and medallions serves as a base for the porcelain vase decorated with roses that makes...Category
Antique 19th Century European Neoclassical Table Lamps
MaterialsBronze, Other
- Bronze Oil Lamp, 19th CenturyLocated in Madrid, ESBronze candle. XIX century. The circular foot is raised by the edges to catch any oil that may fall. A solomonic foot ends in a vase shape, to give way to the central knot of the ...Category
Antique 19th Century European Neoclassical Revival Table Lamps
MaterialsBronze
- Solid Silver Lamp, with Hallmarks, Possibly Malaga, Spain, 19th CenturyLocated in Madrid, ESBoth the decoration and the lines and the shape of the lamp show a strong French influence and a very close relationship with Neoclassicism and other styles derived from it. The eagl...Category
Antique 19th Century Spanish Neoclassical Table Lamps
MaterialsSilver
- Candlestick or candle holder. Bronze. 19th century.Located in Madrid, ESCandlestick or candle holder. Bronze. 19th century. Bronze candlestick decorated with vegetal and venerated elements in light relief. Both the base and the axis or balustraded foot w...Category
Antique 19th Century European Neoclassical Revival Table Lamps
MaterialsBronze, Other
- Porcelain and Glass Oval Box, 19th CenturyLocated in Madrid, ESSmall oval box with etched glass base and lid hinge closure made, the latter combining enamel and metal. The bottom has a bucolic landscape with a series of h...Category
Antique 19th Century European Neoclassical Decorative Boxes
MaterialsPorcelain, Glass
- Porcelain Centerpiece, circa Late 19th CenturyLocated in Madrid, ESPorcelain enameled piece with golden details that allows to place flowers inside. Shaped like a bucket, it has a handle decorated with shapes inspired by Rococo from the 18th century...Category
Antique Late 19th Century European Neoclassical Revival Centerpieces
MaterialsPorcelain
- 19th Century English Porcelain Parrot LampLocated in Los Angeles, CAIn excellent condition. Very unusual. Hand painted with custom parchment shade, which is 7' in diameter.Category
Antique 19th Century English Neoclassical Table Lamps
MaterialsPorcelain, Parchment Paper
- 19th Century Chinese Porcelain LampLocated in Los Angeles, CABeautifully painted 19th Century Chinese vessel converted to lamp. Wooden base. Custom parchment shade is 10" high x 16" wide.Category
Antique 19th Century Chinese Chinese Export Table Lamps
MaterialsEnamel
- 19th Century English Chinoiserie Porcelain LampsLocated in Los Angeles, CAFine hand painted details throughout. Originally urns converted to lamps. Custom parchment shade is 12" in diameter by 7" high.Category
Antique 19th Century English Chinoiserie Table Lamps
MaterialsPorcelain, Paint
- Early 19th Century Chinese Porcelain LampsLocated in Tampa, FLA pair of early 19th century porcelain vases as lamps with flowers and phoenix birds. The stands are rosewood and finials are brass balls. The lamps vary in color which is normal.Category
Antique 1820s Chinese Table Lamps
MaterialsPorcelain
- 19th Century Large Cantonese Porcelain LampLocated in NICE, FRWe present you with this impressively sized Cantonese porcelain lamp in a cylindrical shape, dating back to the Napoleon III era. It features prominent images depicting scenes from t...Category
Antique 19th Century French Chinese Export Table Lamps
MaterialsBronze
- 19th Century Square Porcelain Vase LampLocated in London, GBA mid-19th century polychrome vase of square tapering form, the black glazed neck with dragon motifs, the sides intricately worked with figurative scenes upon a pierced scrolling gro...Category
Antique 19th Century Chinese Chinese Export Table Lamps
MaterialsCeramic, Porcelain