Two centuries and then some. A catalogue of collections that span times, trends, and styles. Treasured artworks created by the most inspired minds and the most delicate touch of hand. The story of Royal Copenhagen’s craftsmanship is a tale of undying passion and a craft mastered by the few. From the designer’s first sketch to the careful creation of each piece, it is the passion of the porcelain factory that breathes the soul into every piece of porcelain.
Since the Royal Danish Porcelain Factory opened its doors in the late 1700s, it has been home to the finest of craftsmen, who have passed on their knowledge and expertise through generations and across country borders. All to carry the fine legacy of Royal Copenhagen into the future
Though Royal Copenhagen often collaborates with artists and external designers, the factory is home to a talented team of in-house designers who carry the proud aesthetics of Royal Copenhagen into the future – from the very first sketch to the last adjustment of every new piece of porcelain.
The sketch is now designed in 3D on a computer and then the first fragile model is printed on a 3D printer. The printing process, which can take up to a day, lays ultra-thin layers of the light-sensitive liquid (resin) on top of each other, which are harden by the laser and the design takes its shape.The modeler also works with 3D milling the models on a plaster milling machine.Depending on the size, 3D printing and milling can take 1 hour to 3 days.
The craft of the sculptor lies in carefully and patiently perfecting every little detail of the model that is to become a finished piece of porcelain – a demanding technique that can take several weeks.
The casting process is one known by heart by the craftsmen of Royal Copenhagen, and when liquid porcelain has been poured into a mould, the casters know just how long it takes for the mould to absorb the moisture and a perfect porcelain shell to appear.
A craft known by many but mastered by few is the hand painting of Royal Copenhagen porcelain. Fabled through centuries, the fine lines are applied with the light brushstrokes of a craft inherited from blue painter to blue painter through centuries.
Not as famous but just as complicated as the hand painting of porcelain is applying colour by airbrush. A technique perfected through decades, airbrushing requires the steady hand of a skilled craftsman to ensure that subtle shades blend together seamlessly on porcelain surfaces.
Whether a porcelain piece is painted before or after glazing or not at all, glazing porcelain requires a firm grip and swift movements to create a thin, glossy layer on the porcelain to highlight its delicate details.
After the porcelain has been diped in the glossy glace, the pieces ares now fired at nearly 1375 degrees celcius and undergoes a shrinking process losing up to 14% of its size. Many pieces are lost during this final firing; one in five items may be discarded after this step
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