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Royal Copenhagen

Inherited Royal Copenhagen.
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Royal Copenhagen has been producing porcelain in Denmark since 1775. Best known for Blue Fluted and Flora Danica patterns, the factory's three-wave mark is one of the most recognized in porcelain.

About Royal Copenhagen

A history of Danish porcelain excellence

Royal Copenhagen was founded in 1775 under the patronage of the Danish royal family, making it one of the oldest porcelain manufacturers in continuous operation. The factory's earliest pieces were produced under direct royal oversight, and the three-wave mark — representing the three straits of Denmark — has appeared on every piece since the beginning. It was originally hand-painted, and after approximately 1870 it was applied by stamp.

Blue Fluted

Blue Fluted is Royal Copenhagen's signature pattern and the one most commonly found in inherited collections. It comes in three distinct variations, each with different values. Blue Fluted Plain features the classic blue floral motif on a white ground with a simple border. Blue Fluted Half Lace adds a partial openwork lace border to the rim. Blue Fluted Full Lace, the most elaborate, features a fully pierced lace border — the most technically demanding and most valuable of the three.

Flora Danica

Flora Danica is widely considered the most valuable dinnerware pattern in the world. Originally commissioned in 1790 as a diplomatic gift for Catherine the Great of Russia, each piece is hand-painted with a specific botanical specimen from the Danish flora. The original project lasted about twelve years (1790-1802), and the pattern has remained in production ever since. Flora Danica is still in production today, but vintage sets — particularly those from the 19th and early 20th centuries — command significant premiums over current production. Every piece is signed by the painter, and the botanical specimen is identified by its Latin name on the reverse.

Blue Flower

Blue Flower is another classic Royal Copenhagen pattern, featuring hand-painted blue floral sprays. Less widely collected than Blue Fluted, it is still a quality pattern with moderate value, particularly in complete services with serving pieces.

Christmas plates

Royal Copenhagen has produced annual Christmas plates since 1908 — each year a new design, produced only for that year and never reissued. The earliest plates, particularly those from 1908 through the 1920s, are genuinely scarce and can be quite valuable. The tradition of collecting these plates surged in the mid-20th century, and plates from the 1970s onward were produced in much larger quantities. As a result, later plates are widely available and have modest resale value.

Figurines

Royal Copenhagen has produced porcelain figurines since the 1880s, with animal figures and figural groups being the most collected. The factory's distinctive underglaze painting technique gives these figurines a soft, muted palette that is immediately recognizable. Larger figural groups, early production pieces, and rare models bring the strongest prices. Common small animal figures, while charming, are generally modest in value.

Key Patterns by Value

  • Flora Danica (highest)
  • Blue Fluted Full Lace (high)
  • Blue Fluted Half Lace (moderate-high)
  • Blue Flower (moderate)
  • Blue Fluted Plain (moderate)

Photo Tip

Photograph the three-wave mark on the bottom of each piece, along with any numbers stamped or painted nearby. The numbers indicate the specific pattern and shape, and in some cases the individual painter. This information allows a specialist to identify the exact item, its age, and its current market value.

Real Auction Results

What inherited Royal Copenhagen has actually sold for

These are verified results from recent auctions, along with typical market ranges for commonly inherited Royal Copenhagen categories.

$35,000

Flora Danica Service, 60 Pieces

Service for 12. Estimated at $8,000–$12,000.

DuMouchelles, 2020
Est. $10K–$15K

Flora Danica Wares, ~63 Pieces

Large collection of Flora Danica wares.

Sotheby's New York, 2024
$15,000

Flora Danica Collection

Estimated at $5,000–$8,000.

Hindman, 2014
$300–$800 each

Flora Danica Individual Dinner Plates

Typical auction range for individual plates in good condition.

Ongoing market range
$5,000–$15,000

Blue Fluted Full Lace Complete Services

Complete services regularly reach this range at auction.

Ongoing market range
$1,000–$5,000

Early Christmas Plates (1908–1920)

Early annual plates are scarce and actively collected.

Ongoing market range

An Honest Take

What usually isn't valuable

Part of a useful evaluation is knowing what doesn't carry significant market value. Being honest about this upfront saves time and prevents disappointment.

Blue Fluted Plain individual pieces

Blue Fluted Plain is the most common Royal Copenhagen pattern and has been in continuous production for over two centuries. Individual cups, saucers, and plates are widely available on the secondary market and typically sell for modest amounts. Complete services still have value, but single pieces or small groupings generally do not.

Christmas plates from the 1970s onward

The Christmas plate collecting boom of the 1970s and 1980s led to very large production numbers. Many people bought plates as investments, and the supply now far exceeds collector demand. Most plates from this era sell for $10 to $30 each — well below their original retail prices. Collections of these plates rarely bring meaningful value.

Small figurines in common models

Royal Copenhagen produced certain figurine models in very large quantities, particularly small animal figures. While attractive and well-made, common models are widely available and typically sell for $30 to $80 each. Larger figural groups, rare models, and early production pieces are a different story, but the small common figurines most people inherit have modest resale value.

Pieces with the Bing & Grondahl mark

Bing & Grondahl is a separate Danish porcelain company often confused with Royal Copenhagen. The marks are different — Bing & Grondahl uses a castle tower mark rather than the three-wave mark. While Bing & Grondahl produced quality porcelain, its pieces generally sell for less than comparable Royal Copenhagen items. Correctly identifying which company made your pieces is an important first step in evaluation.

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Common Questions

Frequently asked about Royal Copenhagen

Royal Copenhagen porcelain is identified by the three-wave mark on the bottom of each piece — three horizontal wavy lines in blue underglaze. This mark has been used since the factory's founding in 1775 and is one of the most recognized porcelain marks in the world. The mark was originally hand-painted; after approximately 1870 it was applied by stamp. Variations in its execution can help date pieces. In addition to the three-wave mark, pieces typically have stamped or painted numbers that identify the specific pattern and shape, and sometimes a painter's mark or initial.
Flora Danica is the most valuable Royal Copenhagen pattern and one of the most valuable dinnerware patterns in the world. Individual dinner plates typically sell for $300 to $800 each at auction. Serving pieces and unusual forms can bring significantly more. Complete or large services have sold for $15,000 to $35,000 or more at auction, often exceeding pre-sale estimates. Value depends on the number of pieces, the specific forms included, condition, and age — vintage sets generally command premiums over current production.
It depends on the year. Royal Copenhagen has produced annual Christmas plates since 1908, and the earliest plates — particularly 1908 through the 1920s — can be worth $1,000 to $5,000 individually. However, plates from the 1970s onward were mass-collected as investments, and supply now far exceeds demand. Most plates from the 1970s through the 2000s sell for $10 to $30 each, well below their original retail price. A complete collection spanning many decades can still have meaningful value, but individual late-century plates generally do not.
Royal Copenhagen uses a numbering system on the bottom of pieces that provides important information. The main number identifies the specific shape or form — for example, a particular plate size or cup shape within a pattern. A second number, often separated by a slash or placed nearby, identifies the pattern or decoration. Some pieces also have a small painted number or initial identifying the individual painter or decorator. These numbers allow specialists to identify the exact item, its pattern, and sometimes when and by whom it was made.
Blue Fluted is Royal Copenhagen's most iconic pattern, produced continuously since 1775. It comes in three variations with significantly different values. Blue Fluted Full Lace, with its intricate pierced border, is the most valuable — complete services regularly reach $5,000 to $15,000 at auction. Blue Fluted Half Lace, with a partial lace border, is moderate to high in value. Blue Fluted Plain, the simplest version, is the most common and has moderate value. For all three, completeness and condition are important factors, and older pieces with early marks tend to bring higher prices.
Royal Copenhagen and Bing & Grondahl are two separate Danish porcelain companies that are often confused. Royal Copenhagen uses the three-wave mark — three blue wavy lines. Bing & Grondahl uses a mark featuring the letters B&G with a castle tower or three towers. Bing & Grondahl was acquired by Royal Copenhagen in 1987, and both brands continued production, but they maintain separate marks. In general, Royal Copenhagen pieces command higher prices than comparable Bing & Grondahl pieces, though certain Bing & Grondahl figurines and early pieces have their own collector following.