Fine Dinnerware

Fine china is not just for holidays anymore. Increased home entertaining has given rise to using fine old china—once considered old-fashioned—for entertaining and family dinners. People are discovering that Haviland, Lenox, Delftware, Royal Copenhagen and Wedgwood plates and serving pieces make everyday meals look special. There was a 39 percent increase in searches for fine […]

Colorful, Distinctive Scandinavian Ceramics

The Scandinavian Design movement emerged in the 1950s in Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Sweden and Norway. Pottery from Scandinavian artists Wilhelm Kåge, Arne Bang, Axel Salto, Birger Kaipiainen and others were included in a recent Wright sale in Chicago. The simple designs have become popular in American homes. A gold-colored, cylindrical Farsta vase made in 1960 […]

Scandinavian Ceramic Artists’ Marks

Modern art pottery and tableware have been made by several Scandinavian factories. The most well-known companies are Bing & Grøndahl and Royal Copenhagen in Denmark and Gustavsberg and Rorstrand in Sweden. Here are marks of some artists and throwers who worked at Scandinavian potteries in the 20th century. A thrower is the person who shapes […]

Flora Danica Still Expensive

Royal Copenhagen’s Flora Danica pattern dinnerware has always been very expensive. The flowers are modeled and added one at a time. The matching flatware rarely shows up at auction. A 60-piece set of knives, forks and spoons sold at a recent Heritage auction for $42,000. A 58-piece set of dishes brought $15,000.    

Royal Copenhagen

Danish porcelain has been popular since 1775, when the Royal Copenhagen Porcelain Works was founded. The earliest Royal Copenhagen pieces were glazed in cobalt blue. Blue Flower (1780), one of the first patterns, is still being made, and like most of the dishes made today by Royal Copenhagen, it is still painted by hand. The […]

Austrian and Danish Marks

This table contains the names of important Austrian and Danish porcelain makers, their locations, marks, and dates the marks were used. Company Location Dates Mark Austrian Marks Amphora Porcelain Works Austria 1892-1918 Amphora Porcelain Works Austria 1892-1905 Danish Marks Bing & Grondahl Denmark 1853 Bing & Grondahl Denmark 1898+ Royal Copenhagen Denmark 1775-1820 1850-1870 Royal […]

Dating Dinnerware by Pattern, Color and Shape

Dishes are often designed in the newest styles to go with other new household furnishings. After a little study, it is possible to determine the approximate age of a dish by its shape, colors, and pattern. Decorations like Mexican scenes, abstract designs, the type of border, the flowers pictured, or even the lack of a […]