The Royal Copenhagen porcelain manufacturing company calls 1992 their
”Blue Year,” a campaign to make their already classic pattern, ”Blue Fluted,” even more popular around the world.
Royal Copenhagen painters such as Birgit Birk Madsen have been sent as international artistic ambassadors to demonstrate their craft. This fall she visited five states, including Illinois, where she spent a day at The Scandinavian Boutique at 18135 Harwood Ave., in Homewood. There she demonstrated the 1,197 brush strokes it takes to complete a plate.
”I like to work with my hands,” said Madsen, 48, who speaks perfect English. Her art skills brought her to Royal Copenhagen as an apprentice in 1981.
Since then, Madsen has specialized in the Blue Fluted pattern, which symbolizes Denmark`s connection with the sea in its combination of deep cobalt blue and cloud white. The pattern is so demanding that only seven out of every 10 made are good enough to be sold.
The Blue Fluted pattern, an abstract chrysanthemum, originated in ancient China, she said. The company began making the pattern from the time the factory was established in 1775.
There are three versions of the pattern, Madsen explains. Retail cost for a five-piece set of the original plain version is $295; $395 for the half-lace version, with a half-perforated border; and $695 for the full lace version, which displays a border so intricate that only a highly skilled craftsman can accomplish it. For information, call The Scandinavian Boutique at 708-799-2150.