A Masterpiece of Prussian Culinary Culture
Table service of Frederick II the Great for the City Palace in Wroclaw
Frederick II the Great
King of Prussia, Frederick II the Great, probably inherited his love of fine porcelain from his mother, Sophia Dorothea of Hanover, Queen of Prussia.
Thanks to her influence and love of beauty, Frederick II
went down in history not only as a successful general and brilliant statesman, but also as a writer, builder and enthusiast of art and music. Despite that frugality, modesty and restraint were considered Prussian virtues, Frederick succumbed to the magic of porcelain.
A milk jug (20th century AD) by Königliche Porzellan-Manufaktur BerlinCity Museum of Wrocław
It was a manufacture that just produced porcelain
When Johann Ernst Gotzkowski's small but high-quality Berlin manufacture went bankrupt in 1763, the monarch bought out the failing facility with his money and gave it a scepter from his coat of arms as its signature,
which still adorns its products today. It is still known today as Königliche Porzellanmanufaktur Berlin (KPM).
Royal Residence
However, before the service was established, Frederick II, alongside Potsdam and Berlin, elevated Breslau to the rank of royal residence in 1747.
In 1751, he acquired the estate of Baron von Spätgen in Breslau, which was immediately redesigned according to the monarch's guidelines. As one of the main royal residences, the palace is equipped with a specially designed dedicated table service.
The Service
The order was placed in 1767 and cost 7040 thalers. The service consisted of 36 different pieces of tableware - plates, platters, terrines, pitchers, saucepans, salt cellars - and was one of the most expensive table services Frederick II ordered.
A teacup (20th century AD) by Königliche Porzellan-Manufaktur BerlinCity Museum of Wrocław
"Antique Zierathe"
For the Wrocław service, a new shape of the dish was developed, the so-called Antique Zierathe
...in which the edges of the dishes were shaped convexly and as if framed by a bundle of rods.
A dessert plate (20th century AD) by Königliche Porzellan-Manufaktur BerlinCity Museum of Wrocław
"Fahne"
Moreover, distinctive were four narrow fahne filled with scalloped decoration in light blue, complemented by gold ribbons...
"Fahne"
... flowers and garlands swirling around the edges of platters, bowls and plates.
A dessert plate (20th century AD) by Königliche Porzellan-Manufaktur BerlinCity Museum of Wrocław
The center is occupied by flower painting. These are large, loose arrangements composed of flowers that did not bloom together, but this was not a priority. The dishes, above all, were meant to make an impression.
The details of flowers, buds and leaves are shown with photographic accuracy, making them appear almost lifelike.
The painting side
The painting side of the service was entrusted to Friedrich Elias Meyer, and the richness of the Berlin porcelain garden is second to none.
A meal, eaten at a table decorated with this service,
offers not only culinary highlights, but also an unparalleled feast for the eyes. Until the end of his life, Frederick II the Great was the best customer of his manufacture, and his orders still represent KPM's most important products today.
A coffee cup (20th century AD) by Königliche Porzellan-Manufaktur BerlinCity Museum of Wrocław
Part of the service can still be seen today at the "1000 Years of Wrocław" exhibition.
Magdalena Szmida-Półbratek
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