The Archives of the Königliche Porzellan-Manufaktur Berlin

Art and Study Collections of the KPM Archives

The Stiftung Preußische Schlösser und Gärten Berlin-Brandenburg (SPSG) is responsible for the conservation and scholarly research of the historic collections of the Königliche Porzellan-Manufaktur Berlin (KPM). In 1981, the archives of the manufactory and its special collections became the property of the federal state of Berlin.

The KPM Archives is also the oldest commercial archive in the city of Berlin. The collection of historical records dates back to the manufactory’s foundation (1762–63). The current list of records (Aktenverzeichnis) not only documents general business transactions and processes, but also includes unique records on artistic trends and technical innovations within the KPM, such as manuscripts with recipes for producing porcelain colors and instructions for building kilns. In addition to describing its technical history, the collection also contains numerous sources on social, financial and commercial aspects of the KPM, whose creations were significantly influenced by the tastes of its royal patrons.

Art and Study Collections of the KPM Archives

In addition to the surviving files and documents regarding the history of the KPM’s manufactory, bountiful art and study collections afford the KPM Archives its unique status. Among the 46,000 objects administered by the KPM Archives are:

  • a historic library collection comprising 3,000 volumes
  • a collection of 32,000 (printed) graphic works from the 17th to 19th centuries
  • 200 paintings
  • 6,000 historical photographs and
  • a small collection of 18th century silk fabric samples.

The diverse collections of the KPM Archives bear testimony to over 150 years of royal porcelain commissions in Prussia. Its historical and cultural significance is on a par with the manufactory archives of Sèvres, Vienna and Meissen. Moreover, its collections facilitate research on cultural, art, social, economic, technological, and Prussian history. The archives' extensive collection of historical images also makes it a valuable resource in research for cultural heritage preservation.

Curator
Eva Wollschläger M.A.

Search our collection
Picture Library

Address

Stiftung Preußische Schlösser und Gärten Berlin-Brandenburg
KPM-Archiv (Land Berlin)
Science and Restoration Center (Wissenschafts- und Restaurierungszentrum / WRZ)
House 2 B
Zimmerstraße 10-11
14471 Potsdam

Contact

Eva Wollschläger
SPSG | Abteilung Schlösser und Sammlungen
Kustodin KPM-Archiv
Telephone: 0331.96 94-346
Fax: 0331.96 94-104
  • Adolf Flad: Dekorentwurf für eine Vase mit Vogelmotiven (Fasanenvögel), 1914
  • Fächerblatt mit Ansicht des Jupiter-Tonans-Tempels auf dem Forum Romanum, Aquarell und Deckfarben auf Ziegenhaut, nach 1788
  • Unbekannter Künstler, Figuraler Dekorentwurf für eine Porzellantischplatte oder -fußschale (Detail), Berlin um 1830
  • Carl Daniel Freydanck, Ansicht der Glienicker Brücke, Öl auf Lwd., 1837
  • Carl Daniel Freydanck, Das Königliche Schloss und die Lange Brücke in Berlin, 1841
  • Seidentextilfragment mit cremeweißer Spitzenborte und farbigen Blumenbouquets, Frankreich 1760-1780
  • Seidentextilfragment mit floralen Silbermotiven, gelben Streublumen und farbigen Blatt- und Blütenmotiven, Frankreich 1720-1750
  • G. Schucht, Blick auf das Museum am Lustgarten und die Berliner Schlossbrücke, Berlin vor 1870
  • G. Schucht, Blick von der Museumsinsel auf die Berliner Börse, Berlin vor 1873
  • Gründungsurkunde der Königlichen Porzellan Manufaktur Berlin, 1763