// Instant Expert
control of the Royal Copenhagen porcelain works from 1949. His knowledge of manufacturing techniques along with his wider artistic skills combined to produce a new period for the company resulting in a massive creative output until his retirement in 1969.
Over these years Thorsson not only developed many new tea and table wares, but pushed forward the company’s range of decorative home wares. These comprised the Solberg range of the 1930s, the Marselis range of the 1950s and the super stylish Tenera and Baca wares launched in the 1960s. Working with other leading designers of the day, the Tenera and Baca ranges would become some of the firm’s most successful creations, proving popular not only on home shores, but with consumers around the world.
Thorsson’s artistic background and intuitive approach allowed him to not only create some stunning examples of mid-century design, but also encourage fellow artists to do the same. This exciting period in the firm’s history saw leading artists join the design team to develop a wide range of individual patterns to decorate Thorsson’s shapes. Working alongside Thorsson at this time were assorted artists including Berte Jessen, Inge Lise-Koefoed, Johanne Gerber, Marianne Johnson, Kari Christensen, Bethe Breyen and Grete Helland-Hansen.
Today little is known about many of these individual artists however their work leaves a distinctive legacy for collectors. Each had their own individual style which adds to the breadth of collecting, allowing enthusiasts to either concentrate on one designer or go for a broad spread of pattern, colour and form.
These new wares were at the edge of Danish design and epitomised the quality and strength of work coming out of the country at that time. They would have been retailed through fashionable stores and china retailers around the world, stores like Liberty & Co and Heals where the design conscious newly- weds of the day would have gone to be inspired.
The success of the ranges was born out of accessibility. That’s not to say that these items were cheap! In comparison to the price of Royal Copenhagen today these were affordable, if considered, purchases, the acquisition of which showed you had style and taste.
Fortunately these glorious ceramics are clearly marked with a wide range of ciphers to the base which include the Royal Copenhagen back stamp, the artist’s monogram and often a hand painted pattern code. There is no mistaking the real deal, which makes for confident collecting.
When it comes to price it’s actually a very easy field to collect. Over the years there were considerable quantities of these wares made and shipped all over the world. A quick search online through various auction sites will soon throw up a wide range of pieces starting as low as £20.00. Overall prices are still quite modest, tending to range between £20 and £200 dependant on seller and location. It’s worth shopping around though as pieces are out there and some sellers seem to be prepared to accept more modest prices.
Spend some time looking online to decide who your favourite designer is and also get a feel for the wide range of patterns that are available. Soon you will begin to realise that some designs are rarer than others. There is a good supply out there on the market so I would think twice about investing in a damaged piece unless it’s particularly rare or priced accordingly.
I purchased my first piece of Aluminia Faience over 20 years ago for just a few pounds and since then have watched the prices steadily climb. The quality of production and design are undeniable and they are not only wonderful statement pieces, but usable as well! Most weekends my Johanne Gerber bowl is brought out to add a bit of colour to the table. The most enjoyable part though, it cost me the equivalent of £6.00 when I found it on a paste table at a Danish outdoor market last year.
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