The Royal Porcelain Factory in Berlin (Königliche Porzellan-Manufaktur Berlin in German)—abbreviated as KPM and also known as the Royal Porcelain Manufactory Berlin—was founded in 1763 by King Frederick II of Prussia, known as Frederick the Great. The KPM logo is a cobalt blue sceptre, which is stamped on every piece. All painted pieces produced by KPM are signed by the painter. Each piece is handmade and therefore unique. KPM is still producing in Berlin today.
Throughout its long history, KPM has regularly commissioned outstanding artists and designers to create porcelain pieces collections. In the 19th century, these included Karl Friedrich Schinkel, Christian Daniel Rauch, and Johann Gottfried Schadow. In the 20th century, Gerhard Marcks, Trude Petri, Marguerite Friedlaender, Wolf Karnagel, and Enzo Mari pioneered designs for the manufactory. Services such as the neoclassical Kurland, the New Objectivity-style Urbino, and the Bauhaus-style Arkadia remain immensely popular.
