KPM Berlin Porcelain Serving Dish – Hand-Painted Pink Roses, Scalloped Leaf Form (Germany), c. 1960 🍽️🌸👑
This is an exquisite vintage serving dish from the renowned Königliche Porzellan-Manufaktur Berlin (KPM). Crafted in Germany, this piece showcases the exceptional artistry and craftsmanship that KPM, one of Europe’s most storied factories, is celebrated for.
The dish features a delicate pink hue adorned with hand-painted pink roses and intricate gold gilding. Its unique scalloped-leaf design and masterful decoration mark it as a top-shelf collectible and a desirable curated centerpiece for a formal dining environment. This object is a decorative acquisition that rewards the collector with verifiable luxury heritage.
2. About the Artwork/Object 📖✍️✨
This decorative dish is molded in a distinctive, bifurcated shell or leaf form with an ornate central divider that acts as a handle, allowing for two distinct serving sections. The scalloped edges enhance the rococo-inspired aesthetic of the piece.
The surface is decorated with a pale pink color-wash, serving as a subtle ground for the highly detailed artistry. The dish is richly embellished with hand-painted pink roses and other floral elements that showcase the skill of the KPM artisans. Extensive gold gilding, executed in elaborate, detailed scrollwork and outlining the entire scalloped rim, adds significant visual weight and luxury appeal. The entire design is a fusion of sculptural whimsy and formal elegance.
3. About the Artist/Author/Maker ✍️🏛️
The maker is KPM Berlin (Königliche Porzellan-Manufaktur Berlin). Founded in 1763 by Frederick the Great, KPM Berlin has been in continuous operation and remains one of the most respected names in fine porcelain globally.
The company is celebrated for its exceptional artistry and craftsmanship, with a history tied directly to German royalty and state patronage. Pieces from KPM are highly sought after by collectors for their historical significance and unwavering commitment to quality. This dish is a continuation of that legacy, produced by skilled artisans dedicated to maintaining the factory’s prestigious reputation.
4. Historical/Political Era Context 🌍🕰️📜
This serving dish was created during the mid-20th century (c. 1950s–1970s), a period that saw a renewed global demand for luxury European decorative arts. The factory survived the disruptions of World War II and the post-war partition of Germany, continuing to produce high-end wares.
The style reflects the opulent and decorative tastes popular in formal homes of the mid-20th century, which often drew heavily upon 18th-century Rococo Revival aesthetics for inspiration. KPM pieces from this era were a tangible link to a rich history of artistry and design, offering post-war consumers a connection to pre-war European luxury and stability. The precise craftsmanship and hand-painted details stand in direct contrast to the mass-produced ceramics of the era, underscoring its status as a high-value artistic commodity.
5. The Ideal Collector 💡🧐🏛️
This exquisite serving dish will appeal to a sophisticated curator of European decorative arts. The ideal buyer is a collector who specializes in KPM Berlin porcelain, a lover of fine European tableware, or an individual who appreciates the mastery of hand-painted ceramic florals.
This piece is an attractive asset for a collector curating a formal dining room or a luxury display cabinet. The KPM brand identity is a primary selling point, targeting those who prioritize pieces with verifiable, centuries-old lineage and artistic pedigree for their personal collection.
6. Value & Rarity 💎✨🏛️
This serving dish is valuable for its strong brand recognition, hand-painted artistry, and excellent preservation. The KPM name is synonymous with fine German porcelain, making pieces from this maker highly sought after in the global marketplace.
The meticulous detail of the hand-painted pink roses and the fully intact, extensive gold trim are key value drivers. Produced approximately 60 to 75 years ago, the piece has survived decades of potential use in excellent condition, which is a primary determinant of collectible value. This object represents a superior example of its category from a prestigious manufacturer.
7. Condition 🔎📚✨
This vintage KPM serving dish is in excellent, display-ready condition.
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Structural Integrity: The dish is structurally sound, with no chips, cracks, or repairs visible on the porcelain body or scalloped edges.
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Vibrant Artistry: The hand-painted floral details are vibrant, and the pink ground wash is consistent with the period.
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Gilding: The intricate gold trim is fully intact across the scalloped rim and handle, showing minimal to no rubbing or loss.
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Marking: The underglaze blue KPM mark is clearly visible on the underside of the dish.
8. Fun Facts & Unique Features 🤓📜🤩
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Royal Heritage: KPM's full name, Königliche Porzellan-Manufaktur Berlin, translates to "Royal Porcelain Factory Berlin," a name granted by King Frederick II of Prussia when he personally purchased the factory in 1763.
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The KPM Sceptre Mark: The factory’s iconic mark is the blue sceptre, a direct reference to the sceptre of the Prussian Elector. This mark is one of the oldest and most recognized porcelain marks in continuous use.
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Rococo Revival: The scalloped-shell or leaf form of the dish is a style borrowed directly from the European Rococo period of the 18th century, showing KPM's tradition of reintroducing classical forms.
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Artist Signatures: While the dish is marked KPM, the individual painter often added their personal cypher or signature to the piece, which is a detail sought after by collectors.
9. Supporting Information 🏷️📦💰
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Item Name: Scalloped Leaf Serving Dish
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Maker/Factory: Königliche Porzellan-Manufaktur Berlin (KPM Berlin)
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Period: Vintage, Mid-20th Century (c. 1960)
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Medium/Material: Glazed and Hand-Painted Porcelain with Gold Gilt
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Decoration: Hand-Painted Pink Roses, Pink Lustre Ground, Extensive Gold Scrollwork
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Origin: Made in Germany
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Approximate Height: 2.0 inches
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Approximate Width: 9.0 inches
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Approximate Length: 14.0 inches
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Marking Transcription (Verbatim from Base): Underglaze blue mark of a stylized eagle/sceptre over R.P.M.