ROYAL COPENHAGEN
A curated collection of the Danish porcelain maker’s pieces is now available in Australia
It makes sense that Copenhagen, one of the happiest cities in the world, is also the source of some of the most renowned feel-good designs. Porcelain maker Royal Copenhagen is a leading light in Denmark’s long history of design perfection — and it’s now available in Australia. The basics For lovers of heritage, hygge and all things Danish, Royal Copenhagen is the ultimate in handcrafted porcelain. Founded by Denmark’s Queen Juliane Marie around the same time Captain Cook was traversing Botany Bay, the 244-year-old company is officially setting up shop in Australia — thanks to a new partnership with department store David Jones. lia? Apparently Australians than most about Danish Blame our love affair with dernist furniture and lighting (thank you Arne Jacobsen and Poul Henningsen), Australian girl-next-door turned Crown Princess Mary of Denmark, or Jørn Utzon and his Opera House. “There’s no one in the world who doesn’t know that one building,” says Tom Nørring, Denmark’s ambassador to Australia. “That in itself is a good platform for Australians to understand Danish design, which is centred on simplicity but also sophistication.”
A Danish love affair Prized by collectors across the globe, Royal Copenhagen is as intrinsic to Danish culture as Uluru is synonymous with Australia. Niels Bastrup, creative director of Royal Copenhagen, says affection runs high for the pieces on home ground. “Either you’ve seen it at your grandmother’s home or maybe your mother handed it down to the next generation who loves it. It is something that we, as Danes, are very familiar with.”
What makes it unique? The craftsperson who’s painted each piece has also signed it. “You don’t just buy a piece of Royal Copenhagen. “It’s an investment, something you really cherish. You use it every day and although each piece may look the same, with the same blue colour, you’ll find individual nuances. You’re buying something with a person behind it. It’s not just machine-made.” Happiness in a cup Now instore is a curated collection of original 18th-century designs, including the famous Blue Fluted Plain. “It’s the very first pattern we produced back in 1775, when Europeans first cracked how to produce porcelain,” says Bastrup. “Our biggest asset is the loveliness of some of the old Royal Copenhagen products that still fit beautifully with designs we make today.” A new generation A younger fan base is also embracing Royal Copenhagen, says Bastrup. “Instead of buying something for daily use and having something else for special occasions, we’re finding both men and women are collecting at a very early age,” says Bastrup. “They’re buying Royal Copenhagen and daring to use it every day. Like a pair of jeans, it can be dressed up for a party, or it can be very basic and used just for coffee. I think that’s what a lot of people enjoy.” What’s coming next? For the first time ever, Royal Copenhagen will be showing at Milan’s Salone del Mobile in April 2019 to launch a yet-to-be-revealed collaboration with a world-renowned designer. “We strongly believe in keeping the brand relevant,” says Sjoerd Leeflang, vice president of business. “We’ve been here for 244 years but it’s our responsibility that we will also be here in another 244.”