MUSSELMALET, dish, nr 548, half blond, Royal Copenhagen, Denmark.

Porcelain. First-hand sorting. Length 23 cm.

Musselmalet is a pattern inspired by the Chinese blue-white porcelain, which enjoyed high popularity during the 17th and 18th centuries in Europe. It began to be manufactured in Meissen, Germany, in the 1740s under the name “Strohblumen” and soon spread to other porcelain manufacturers in Europe to satiate growing demand.

In 1775, Den Kongelige Porcelænsfabrik in Copenhagen (Royal Copenhagen or Kunglig Dansk in Swedish) introduced its own version of the pattern, called Musselmalta (Blue Fluted). This marked the beginning of its history as a classic Danish porcelain series. Musselmalet was characterized by its blue pattern on a white background and included stylized flowers such as chrysanthemum and potentilla, but it is also available in other color variations such as red, as well as with hints of gold.

During the 1880s under the direction of Arnold Krog, Musselmalet underwent a renewal. Various variations of the pattern were created, including Helblond (Full Lace) with a pierced lace edge, Halvblond (Half Lace) with a painted lace edge and Ribbed with a border decor that resembled a brush stroke. This renewal gave the pattern a modern touch while preserving its classic features.

Arnold Krog born 1856 in Denmark, combined his training as an architect and painter with a diverse artistic expertise that included ceramics and design. In 1884 he became artistic director of Royal Copenhagen and his work there has helped make the company internationally known and recognized.