Customer Service

It’s a real pleasure to set the table with 'the good china', and nothing should keep you from using them every single day: not even on busy weekdays, which is why we’ve made it easy for you. Most of our quality porcelain can be placed directly in the dishwasher (with the exception of Star Fluted Christmas and Fluted Platinum) and with a little caution, the porcelain can also be used in the oven – and if there are no metal (gold/platinum) decorations, it’s also possible to use them in the microwave.

Tested for dishwasher durability

We carry out regular laboratory tests on our porcelain’s ability to withstand multiple dishwasher cycles.

In general we can say that all service decorated under the glaze, such as Blue Flower, Blue Fluted Plain and Blue Fluted Mega, as well as all services with what we call an “in-glaze” decoration, such as Multicoloured Elements, or faience service such as Blue Line, can be washed in the dishwasher.

Christmas plates are decorated under the glaze and can also be placed in the dishwasher without problems.

Most of the products with decoration over the glaze, such as Flora Danica, are not able to withstand washing by dishwasher. More recent series, such as Flora and Star Fluted, can be placed in the dishwasher, but will show signs of wear with repeated washes, and we recommend washing them by hand.

If your products have gold, silver or other metal decorations, we recommend washing them by hand unless the product’s labelling advises otherwise.

Porcelain and faience service is microwave-safe as long as there is not gold, silver or other metal in the decoration, as this will be damaged by the microwave.

Service from Royal Copenhagen can be used in an ordinary oven, as long as it is heated up gradually and allowed to cool down slowly. Large, sudden changes in temperature can crack the porcelain, so when you take the service out of a hot oven, for example, it should be left to cool on a cooling tray or similar. Fan assisted ovens are not recommended.

Dark marks

Cutlery can sometimes leave dark marks on the surface of the glaze. These marks can be removed with Vienna Lime cleaning powder, which can be bought from a chemists or drug store. A detergent for use on glass ceramic cooking tops can also be used. Scratches cannot be removed.

Is it okay to wash service from Royal Copenhagen in a dishwasher?

In general we can say that all service decorated under the glaze, such as Blue Flower, Blue Fluted Plain and Blue Fluted Mega, along with all services with "in-glaze" decoration, such as Multicoloured Elements, and faience service such as Blue Line, can be washed in the dishwasher.

Christmas plates are decorated under the glaze and can also be placed in the dishwasher without problems.

Most of the products with decoration over the glaze, such as Flora Danica, are not able to be washed in the dishwasher. More recent series, such as Flora and Star Fluted, can be placed in the dishwasher, but will show signs of wear with repeated washes, and we recommend washing them by hand.

If your products have gold, silver or other metal decorations, we recommend washing them by hand unless the product’s labelling advises otherwise.

Is it okay to use service from Royal Copenhagen in a microwave oven?

Yes, a porcelain service or faience from Royal Copenhagen is safe for use in a microwave oven, as long as there is no decoration made from gold, silver or any other metal. Products containing gold, silver or other metal will be damaged by the microwave.

Is it okay to use service from Royal Copenhagen in the oven?

Service from Royal Copenhagen can be used in an ordinary oven, as long as it is heated up gradually and allowed to cool down slowly. Large, sudden changes in temperature can crack the porcelain, so when you take the service out of a hot oven, for example, it should be left to cool on a cooling tray or similar. Fan assisted ovens are not recommended.

FAQ

Shipping & Handling

How do I return an order?

Royal Copenhagen has a 30-day return policy, sales goods included, valid from the day you receive your goods. Simply fill out the delivery and returns form enclosed with your order and send it to us, along with the goods. Goods must be returned unused and in the same condition as when received in the original packaging. As soon as we receive the goods and have checked and accepted them, we will credit your account with the correct amount. In order to limit the use of stolen credit cards, we can only credit the card used to purchase the goods. Remember to keep your postal receipt as proof that the package has been shipped. The customer is responsible for the costs for returning goods.

What should I do if I receive the wrong product?

We always endeavour to deliver the correct product, but in cases where a mistake has been made, please contact customerservice@royalcopenhagen.com and we will refund any expenses incurred in shipping the product(s) back to us. Please provide your name, address and order number each time you contact us.

Dinnerware

What is the difference between porcelain, faience and stoneware?

Today, porcelain and faience are made of the same raw materials: a blend of kaolin, feldspar and quartz. The difference in the appearance of these two ceramic materials is due to the different proportions of the raw materials in the mixtures as well as in the different firing processes.

• Porcelain is fired for the first time at a lower temperature (approx. 950°C) and at a higher temperature the second time (approx. 1400°C). This causes the components of the porcelain to melt and fuse together, so the porcelain appears translucent when it is held up to a sufficiently bright source of light.
• Faience is fired for the first time at a higher temperature (approx. 1200°C) and at a lower temperature the second time (approx. 1100°C). As a result, the item becomes slightly porous and opaque. Thanks to the relatively low temperature during the second firing, it is possible to use a far greater number of colours under the glaze than can be used on porcelain.
• Stoneware is fired for the first time at a lower temperature (approx. 1000°C) and at a higher temperature the second time (approx. 1300°C). It is sintered (vitirified) just like porcelain, but stoneware is neither white nor opaque.

Why do dinnerwear series or individual items sometimes go out of production?

Of course, it's sad when a favourite dinnerwear series or individual item in a series is discontinued. When a company like Royal Copenhagen has manufactured a dinnerwear series for many years, it becomes clear that, as tastes change naturally over time, some lines do not sell well enough to be profitable and are therefore discontinued. The only way to replace discontinued lines is to look around for it in antique stores or search on the Internet.

Is Royal Copenhagen able to appraise antique dinner services or those no longer in production?

We recommend asking an antique dealer. Unfortunately, we do not keep updated lists of prices for items no longer included in our product range.

My service has dark marks on the surface of the glaze. What has caused this?

Dark marks on the surface of the glaze are caused by cutlery. These marks can be removed with Vienna Lime cleaning powder, which can be bought from a chemists or drug store. A detergent for use on glass ceramic cooking tops can also be used. Scratches cannot be removed.

Is it okay to wash service from Royal Copenhagen in a dishwasher?

In general we can say that all service decorated under the glaze, such as Blue Flower, Blue Fluted Plain and Blue Fluted Mega, as well as all services with what we call an “in-glaze” decoration, such as Multicoloured Elements, or faience service such as Blue Line, can be washed in the dishwasher.

Christmas plates are decorated under the glaze and can also be placed in the dishwasher without problems.

Most of the products with decoration over the glaze, such as Flora Danica, should not be washed in the dishwasher.

More recent series, such as Flora and Star Fluted, can be placed in the dishwasher, but will show signs of wear with repeated washes, and we recommend washing them by hand.

If your products have gold, silver or other metal decorations, we recommend washing them by hand unless the product’s labelling advises otherwise.

Is it okay to use service from Royal Copenhagen in a microwave oven?

Yes, a porcelain service or faience from Royal Copenhagen is safe for use in a microwave oven, as long as there is no decoration made from gold, silver or any other metal. Products containing gold, silver or other metal will be damaged by the microwave.

Is it okay to use service from Royal Copenhagen in the oven?

Service from Royal Copenhagen can be used in an ordinary oven, as long as it is heated up gradually and allowed to cool down slowly. Large, sudden changes in temperature can crack the porcelain, so when you take the service out of a hot oven, for example, it should be left to cool on a cooling tray or similar. Fan assisted ovens are not recommended.

Collectibles

When was the first Annual Mug issued?

The first Annual Mug was launched in 1967 and decorated by Niels Thorson.

When was the first Mother's Day plate from Bing & Grøndahl issued?

The first Mother's Day Plate was issued in 1969.

When was the first Christmas Plate issued?

The first Christmas Plate was issued by Bing & Grøndahl in 1895, and the first Christmas Plate from the Royal Danish Porcelain Manufactory was issued in 1908.

Why is there no star on the Bing & Grøndahl 1994 Christmas Plate?

It is up to the artist to decide whether he or she wishes to include a star in the motif. Since 1995, however, the artists have strived to include a star in their design.

The plates from 1941-45 are missing from my collection. Were no plates issued during this period?

Plates from 1941-45 are rare, because so few plates were issued during World War 2. The limited production was due mainly to a fuel shortage, as well as the closure of international transport routes.

Have Bing & Grøndahl stopped issuing an Olympic Plate?

Yes, unfortunately. The last Olympic Plate in the series came out in 1992. The Olympic Plate series was launched in 1972.

Is it okay to wash my plates in the dishwasher?

In general we can say that all service decorated under the glaze, such as Blue Flower, Blue Fluted Plain and Blue Fluted Mega, as well as all services with what we call an “in-glaze” decoration, such as Multicoloured Elements, or faience service such as Blue Line, can be washed in the dishwasher.

Most of the products with decoration over the glaze, such as Flora Danica, should not be washed in the dishwasher.

More recent series, such as Flora and Star Fluted, can be placed in the dishwasher, but will show signs of wear with repeated washes, and we recommend washing them by hand.

If your products have gold, silver or other metal decorations, we recommend washing them by hand unless the product’s labelling advises otherwise.

Can you please tell me how much my Royal Copenhagen pieces are worth?

We recommend asking an antique dealer. Unfortunately, we do not keep updated lists of prices for old Royal Copenhagen pieces.

Where can I buy old Collectibles?

From a number of antique dealers, or from the following websites:
www.danishporcelain.com
www.collectiblestoday.com
www.dphtrading.com
www.empiregifts.com
www.danishwindmill.com
www.royalcopenhagenshop.com
www.rasmussenssolvang.com
www.vikingimporthouse.com

Is Royal Copenhagen interested in buying old Royal Copenhagen pieces?

Unfortunately, we do not deal in old pieces. We recommend asking an antique dealer.

Where can I find information on old plates?

You can read more about Collectibles from Royal Copenhagen and Bing & Grøndahl in the following books:

• Platter fra Den Kongelige Porcelainsfabrik published in 1970, ISBN 87 0000 892 5
• Bing & Grøndahl Christmas Plates: The First 100 Years by the American Pat Owen, 1995, ISBN 0-913428-76-0
• Christmas Plates from Royal Copenhagen and Bing & Grøndahl by Lars Christoffersen, 2004, ISBN 0-7643-2089-0.

The books can be bought from both new and used booksellers.