Two Danish porcelain Royal Copenhagen ‘Flora Danica’ serving plates

Two Danish porcelain Royal Copenhagen ‘Flora Danica’ serving plates
Danish, 20th Century
Height 4cm, diameter 30cm
 
These exquisite Royal Copenhagen serving plates originate from the celebrated Flora Danica collection, one of Europe’s most distinguished porcelain series. Although produced in the 20th century, their design follows an artistic tradition that began more than two centuries earlier.
 
The Flora Danica pattern was first conceived in the late 1700s for King Christian VII of Denmark. He commissioned an elaborate dinner service inspired by the Flora Danica botanical encyclopedia - a monumental publication cataloguing the entire flora of the Danish kingdom. Intended as a diplomatic offering after Denmark’s failure to support Russia during wartime, the service became a masterpiece of craftsmanship and national pride.
 
Today, fragments of the original set are preserved in museums, while Royal Copenhagen continues to handcraft pieces from the collection in limited numbers.
 
Each plate features a scalloped edge enriched with intricate gilt detailing. The panelled borders display raised gold bosses from which pairs of leaves gracefully hang, framed within elegant rectangular sections. The dentil-patterned gold rim surrounds the central decoration, showcasing meticulously hand-painted botanical illustrations rendered with remarkable precision.
 
On the reverse, the distinctive blue wave mark and green printed factory stamp confirm their Royal Copenhagen origin, accompanied by shape numbers and the Latin plant names: Impatiens noli-tangere L. (touch-me-not balsam) and Veronica officinalis L. var. glabrata Frist (heath speedwell).
 
Rich in artistic heritage and European porcelain history, these fine serving plates are a striking addition to any table setting.
 
Artist/Maker: Royal Copenhagen (Danish, founded 1775)