Berlin 1770 AD tea canister and cover,
copy of silver version - courtesy R&G
McPherson Antiques

In 1763 AD Frederick II acquired the Berlin factory, by which time it had 146 workers, and he also gave up control of Meissen. The Berlin factory was then known as The Royal Porcelain Factory and became particularly noted for its tableware. By 1771 AD they produced pure white porcelain using local kaolin. Initially the decoration was in relief derived from Meissen designs, and then they achieved floral painting vying with that of Meissen. Berlin also copied Sevres neo-classical decorative styles. A notable Berlin service was made in 1819 AD for the Duke of Wellington that was decorated with scenes from his battles. The more recent popular wares are the porcelain plaques painted exquisitely as copies of old masters and marked KPM (Royal Porcelain Manufactory).

KPM plaque,
“Ruth in a cornfield”,
late 19^th century - source
Richard Gardner Antiques

At Meissen, Kaendler and Reinicke continued the Rococo style, but tastes were changing in favour of neo-classicism and Kaendler found it difficult to adapt. In 1764 AD a French sculptor, Michael Victor Acier was brought in to introduce new styles. Horoldt retired in 1765 AD and new, now more commercial, decorative themes were based on Watteau (romance) and Boucher (cherubs). In 1774 AD Count Camillo Marcolini (a Saxon Minister) became director, particularly charged with competing with Sevres. The colours achieved on the soft-paste Sevres porcelain were considered to be superior and could not be replicated satisfactorily on hard-paste porcelain. Kaendler died in 1775 AD and with him died the great era of Meissen porcelain, although of course it continued on a par with other European factories.

Meissen Marcolini period, 1774-1814 AD,
floral tea canister, and jasper style plaque
- courtesy R&G McPherson Antiques

Also between 1784 and 1805 AD very fine Meissen wares had elaborate gilding and minutely detailed painting in reserved white medallions on coloured grounds.

Across Europe towards the end of the 18^th century influence tended to move from sovereign’s courts to merchants, industrialists and bankers.

Fine hard-paste porcelain was made in the Royal Factory, Copenhagen, in the last quarter of the 18^th century. It produced the Flora Danica service for Catherine the Great of Russia, probably the most famous and elaborate dinner service ever made. It was made up of 1,602 pieces decorated with botanical motifs that took 13 years to produce.

Summarising, European porcelain in the 18^th century can be classified into two major groups, hard-paste in Germany, Central Europe, Russia and part of Italy, and soft-paste in France, England and some of Spain and Italy. England also had bone china - the distinctly different type of soft-paste porcelain.

12.1.9 Nineteenth Century AD

The Industrial revolution had a significant impact on ceramic manufacture, particularly during the 19^th century, allowing cost-effective mass production, but at the expense of handcrafted individual character. The Neoclassical style was replaced around 1830 by Revived Rococo, but that became over-elaborate and ostentatious, and tastes changed.

19^th century Meissen rococo garniture
- source Wikipedia via ivorymammoth

A return to Renaissance styles ensued, but with it came many reproductions and fakes. However, factories made what the customers demanded, even the Japanese after their opening up in 1857 turning whole potteries over to Western styles. At the end of the 19^th century major factories had developed new bodies and particularly new paint colours based more on scientific rather than empirical techniques. “Art Nouveau” was the current style, followed around 1920 by “Arts Decoratifs” (Art Deco). Various craft potters have subsequently set up small potteries, and some are very popular, such as Bernard Leach (1887-1979) in Britain. Although most modern European decorated pottery is no longer handcrafted, it still maintains a very high standard. However, commercial pressures are threatening the existence of even the greatest.