BK-1972-75

About this artwork

mark: ‘scepter/ 2’

Art Historical Context

This delicate porcelain object, cataloged as BK-1972-75, hails from the Königliche Porzellan Manaktur (Royal Porcelain Manufactory) Berlin, circa 1770. Established in 1763 under Frederick the Great, the manufactory quickly rivaled Saxony's famed Meissen works, producing luxury wares that showcased Prussian technical prowess and elegance for royal courts and elite collectors. Crafted via "turning"—a precise lathe-shaping technique applied to soft porcelain paste before firing—this piece exemplifies 18th-century ceramic innovation. Its compact dimensions (4.6 cm high, 9.1 cm wide, 7.5 cm deep) suggest a functional yet ornamental item, like a small box or vessel, refined to geometric perfection. The underglaze blue mark "scepter/2"—featuring the factory's iconic scepter emblem with a numeral likely denoting a painter or size—confirms its authenticity and places it firmly within KPM's golden era. In the Rococo-to-Neoclassical transition, such works highlight porcelain's rise as a symbol of cultural sophistication, blending artistry with industrial precision for Europe's discerning patrons. A testament to enduring craftsmanship!