LIVE24SEVEN // Property & Interiors
Instant Expert – ROYAL COPENHAGEN ALUMINIA FAIENCE
I have been obsessed with the 20th century for as long as I can recall, with my early infatuation for Art Deco developing into my passion for mid-century modern and Scandinavian design.
There are few out there who will have failed to notice the impact that 20th century design has made on the world of art and antiques, with Danish design items rocketing, while traditional antiques are beginning to fail somewhat in the current market.
From interiors magazines to film sets, mid-century modern has taken hold and a new band of stylish and design conscious collectors are looking to fill their homes with the these iconic statement pieces.
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I recently found myself in Denmark and during my spare time began searching out the many antique and junk shops, let alone the weekend outdoor markets. There’s something uniquely exhilarating about scouring for items on foreign shores and for me, nothing beats hunting around Scandinavia. This design conscious enclave of the world offers up a multitude of stylish nuggets which will set off your rosewood sideboard or ladder rack display shelves with a touch of post war pizzazz.
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During my trip I developed a passion for a product I’d long known about, Royal Copenhagen Faience. Scattered amongst the tables of cast offs were countless pieces of this glorious pottery. There were vases, dishes and bowls decorated with abstract flowers, foliage, birds and patterns in a range of colours. In just a couple of days I had amassed quite a haul – surprisingly for very little outlay. I had reinvigorated an interest and one that’s worth sharing.
The stylish wares of the mid-century era arise from a factory founded in the 19th century. The faience factory Aluminia was established in 1863 in Christianshavn, but later moved to Frederiksberg in 1869. The initial output of the factory, while not particularly design led, was based on solid and sturdy everyday wares inspired by similar stoneware produced in England and Germany around the same period.
In 1882 the firm acquired the Royal Porcelain factory and the two merged to become one concern. Under the early artistic direction of Arnold Krog the firm grew during the late 19th and early 20th centuries to become a leader in artistic domestic wares.
The Aluminia factory continued to be the main producer of faience wares and in 1928 appointed Nils Thorsson to be their artistic director. A graduate of the Royal Academy of Fine Arts, Thorsson also had many years practical experience in ceramics having been an apprentice at the factory since 1912. He became the company’s most prolific designer, also taking
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