Antique Royal Copenhagen Blue Fluted Tea Bowl Saucer Late 18th Century 3 Waves Mark

Details

Description

An exceptional antique Royal Copenhagen hand-painted porcelain handleless tea bowl (teacup) and deep saucer set in the iconic Blue Fluted … Read more An exceptional antique Royal Copenhagen hand-painted porcelain handleless tea bowl (teacup) and deep saucer set in the iconic Blue Fluted Plain (Musselmalet) pattern, Pattern No. 1. Dating to the late 18th to early 19th century (c. 1785–1820), this authentic set reflects the earliest period of Royal Copenhagen production prior to later 19th-century factory automation.

The handleless cup and matching deep-wallow saucer feature delicate underglaze cobalt floral sprays, stylized tendrils, and segmented line borders. Both pieces showcase hand-thrown footrims, slight greyish-white soft porcelain body tones, and fine underglaze cobalt hand-drawn three wavy lines factory marks on their bases alongside period painter initials/script tally marks.

Origin & Age:
Origin: Copenhagen, Denmark (Royal Copenhagen Porcelain Manufactory)

Age / Period: Late 18th to Early 19th Century (c. 1785–1820 / Georgian Period)

Material & Dimensions:

Material: Porcelain / Underglaze Cobalt Blue

Tea Bowl (Cup): Approx. 2.25" Height x 3" Rim Diameter

Saucer: Approx. 4.75" Diameter

Authenticity Assessment:
Glaze & Body: The porcelain exhibits a characteristically subtle greyish-white glaze tone over a dense porcelain body, showing light hand-throwing ridges and minor firing pinpoint flaws typical of late 18th- and early 19th-century firing techniques.

Underglaze Cobalt: The hand-painted cobalt decoration shows natural brushstroke depth, subtle tonal variations, and minor feathering where the glaze pooled.

Mark Verification: The underglaze blue three wavy lines (symbolizing Denmark's three straits) are finely hand-painted in iron/cobalt pigment prior to glazing. The absence of later green/blue printed crown stamps or printed country marks confirms production prior to the 1870s.

Reference:
Book Title: Royal Copenhagen Porcelain: 1775 to the Present
Author: Arthur Hayden
Page Reference: Pages 45–58 (Covering Pattern No. 1, early handleless tea bowls, and early hand-painted Three Waves mark variations).

Historical Provenance & Design Significance: Originating from Royal Copenhagen's foundational era, Pattern No. 1 (Blue Fluted) represents one of the most celebrated motifs in European ceramic history. Inspired by 18th-century Chinese export wares, this handleless tea bowl set showcases refined Neoclassical European craftsmanship in hand-painted underglaze cobalt.

Aesthetic Appeal & Curator's Note: An essential accent for classical, coastal, or Nordic-inspired interiors. This historic set offers versatile decorative utility—perfect for display in a porcelain cabinet, styled on a vignette tray, or arranged alongside fine books on a sideboard. See less