Voices of porcelain - stories about the skilled people from Royal Copenhagen

Voices of Porcelain

Ever since the factory first opened its doors in 1775, Royal Copenhagen has worked with the pinnacle of Danish artists, designers, and craftsmen to expand the horizons of porcelain. Now more than ever, the house collaborates closely with contemporary names who shape our world with their art. To celebrate their creative impact, we chart some of the people who have—and continue to—energize Royal Copenhagen’s artistic legacy.

Nottleman

Steen Nottelmann - Heritage Manager

A veritable walking encyclopedia of porcelain, Royal Copenhagen’s heritage manager Steen Nottelmann has worked with porcelain since the 1970s. He joined the house when it merged with Bing & Grøndahl in 1987 and has curated exhibitions across the world and in-house ever since. Nottelmann has also collaborated with Her Majesty Queen Margrethe II of Denmark on a Flora Danica room at Christian VII’s Palace.

Karen Kjældgård-Larsen - Ceramist and designer

Karen Kjældgård-Larsen - Ceramist and designer

Playing with traditional concepts has always been at the heart of Karen Kjældgård-Larsen’s work. A leading figure in the art of ceramics, the Danish designer’s idea to zoom in on Royal Copenhagen’s Blue Fluted Plain flower pattern and then amplify it became the modern icon known as Blue Fluted Mega, which continues to be one of the most sought-after collections more than two decades after its introduction.

Verica Zelcev - Bluepainter

Verica Zelcev - Blue Painter

Verica Zelcev has worked as a Blue painter for 28 years, applying her skilled brushstrokes to all of the blue and white patterns’ iconic incarnations. The painter also works on special projects and made-to-order artworks, such as Royal Copenhagen’s Blue Fish sculpture, and the intricate application involved in achieving the nuanced blue and grey hues of its scales and fins.