A selection of Blue Fluted Full Lace on display

Mould to Masterpiece

At Royal Copenhagen, dedication to our craft is the birthplace of our artistic expression. To us, one cannot exist without the other. For 250 years, our unwavering pursuit of exceptional quality and the passing down of expert know-how have enabled us to craft objects, create art, and envision beauty that transcends generations—even centuries.

The mould is being filled with porcelain

Casting

Once a casting mould has been created, the silky smooth liquid porcelain is poured in. The craftsmen at Royal Copenhagen know exactly how long each item must stay in the mould before it can be extracted and is ready for final finishing before undergoing the first firing in the kilns.

Blue Fluted Plain

Giving Shape

Every idea starts with a two-dimensional sketch that must be given shape. Depending on the object and its complexity, the modelers work with the design team to bring the idea to life through 3D-printed, hand-crafted models, or a combination of the two. Once a model is approved, the final casting mould can be created.
Handpainting a piece of Blue Fluted Full Lace

Underglaze

Royal Copenhagen’s blue- and black-painted collections are all decorated in underglaze, meaning that the decoration is sealed under a clear glaze.

Hand painting a Coral Fluted Half Lace plate

In-glaze

The Coral collections are hand-painted in in-glaze. Here, the decoration is applied with a tool resembling a fountain pen to ensure that the fine lines remain crystal clear on the porcelain surface. In-glaze allows for a wider colour palette, and upon firing, the decoration is fused with the glaze.

Hand painting a Purpur Fluted Full Lace piece

Overglaze

Collections such as Purpur, Emerald, and the legendary Flora Danica are all painted in overglaze. With overglaze, the colour palette is endless, and the decorations sit on top of the porcelain surface, making them noticeable to the touch.

Glazing of a porcelain terrin

Glazing

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 that highlights its delicate details.

The three blue waves of Royal copenhagen

Three Blue Waves

For 250 years, Royal Copenhagen’s signature blue waves have been featured on the back of every piece of hand-crafted porcelain as a promise to collectors around the world—a promise of unyielding passion for craftsmanship and quality.

Pieces of porcelain in the kiln

The lid for the Bonbonniere for the Royal jubilee in 2022 in the making

Hand glazing a Royal Copenhagen Teapot

Blue Fluted Half Lace

The Next Step

What happens next depends on the collection. Royal Copenhagen’s classic blue-painted collections are all decorated in underglaze, meaning that the hand-painted designs are applied before the piece is glazed. In contrast, collections using in-glaze and overglaze techniques are painted after they are glazed and fired.

Royal Creatures

A beautiful teapot being glaced by hand. A delicate and fine process

The art of glazing

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.

Royal Copenhagen porcelain fresh out of the oven

the firing

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

a selection of the HAV collection on display