FRIEDRICH II
Frederick the Great was not only important to the Berlin Porcelain Manufactory as a Prussian king and general, but also as its owner and founder when he acquired the manufactory in 1763.
Until his death in 1786, Frederick II steered the company’s fortunes with great personal dedication. He personally commissioned 21 richly decorated dinner services to furnish his palaces. Porcelain also served as an important tool of his politics and diplomacy when presented as a state gift. He bestowed the title “royal” upon the porcelain manufactory and gave it the scepter from the coat of arms of the Electorate of Brandenburg as its trademark, which is still used today.
In 1851, the Royal Porcelain Manufactory in Berlin produced a 32-cm-tall porcelain portrait bust of Frederick , II, as a component of an equestrian statue based on a design by C. D. Rauch. It is still crafted by hand today at the historic manufactory site.
