0
Your Cart

HOW TO DATE ROYAL COPENHAGEN

Learn how to date Royal Copenhagen Porcelain
based on there marks and back stamps

Understanding how to date Royal Copenhagen porcelain is not only essential but also a fascinating endeavor for any collector. Whether you are just starting out or you have been an enthusiast for many years, we hope that our comprehensive guide will enhance your knowledge and appreciation of your pieces.

To begin with, Royal Copenhagen chose their iconic trademark—the three blue waves or lines—to symbolize Denmark’s three straits: Øresund, Storebælt, and Lillebælt. This choice reflects the brand’s deep connection to its Danish heritage.

Moving on, to accurately determine the age of Royal Copenhagen porcelain figurines, collectibles, and plates, one can examine the markings found on the underside of each item. In the following sections, we will provide detailed information on how to ascertain the age of Royal Copenhagen porcelain items effectively.

Trademarks used from 1775 – 1923

Royal Copenhagen has undergone numerous iterations of the back stamp on their pieces throughout the years. Initially, the three wavy lines were painted by hand; however, after the 1870s, a blue stamp was introduced and applied under the glaze for the products. This transition marked a significant change in their branding approach, enhancing the consistency and visibility of their trademark.

1870 – 1890
Stamp in blue under the glaze.

1887 – 1892
Stamp in violet or red over the glaze.

1892
Stamp in red or green over the glaze, used on request USA for export goods.

1894 – 1900
Crown and Denmark
Stamp in green under the glaze,
blue wave and mark.

1889 – 1922
Crown and ROYAL COPENHAGEN
Stamp in green under the glaze, blue wave mark.

1905
Hand painted mark in blue under the glaze. Used for Juliane Marie porcelain.
( originally on productions 18th century models)

1921
Hand painted marks used on productions made in china.

1923
Crown and DENMARK stamped in green under the glaze, blue wave mark.

1929 – 1950
Stamp used to mark unbreakable porcelain and non-glossy porcelain.

1923
Blue waves trademark Stamp in green under the glazing. Crown and
ROYAL COPENHAGEN
DENMARK

Additions after 1935

Royal Copenhagen implemented changes to their markings after 1935; consequently, a small line was introduced to help identify the production year of each specific piece.

In particular, this line was placed above one of the letters in “ROYAL COPENHAGEN,” beginning in 1935 with the line positioned above the letter “R.”

CHANGES AFTER 1950

After 1949, Royal Copenhagen encountered a challenge: they ran out of letters to place the line over. Consequently, to maintain their tradition, they decided to relocate the line to the bottom of each letter. This adjustment allowed them to continue dating each piece effectively.

Moreover, this revised process was implemented until 1984, with each letter signifying a specific year of production. However, a notable change occurred with the last three letters, G, E, and N, in the word “COPENHAGEN.” Unlike the preceding letters, these three were utilized over multiple years, rather than being restricted to just one.

Royal Copenhagen Blue Fluted Full Lace 1020 Cake Stand Pedestal Bowl

Mark under G, item was produced between 1669 – 1974

How to date royal Copenhagen
After 1985 – present time

Following 1985, significant changes were implemented to incorporate two small lines at the top of two distinct letters in the ROYAL COPENHAGEN logo. Initially, the first letters to feature these lines were R and O; notably, one line consistently remained on the letter R, while the other line shifted positions during various time periods. Consequently, this method of dating Royal Copenhagen porcelain continues to be utilized today on newly produced pieces.