Lot 51 | Large porcelain ice dome "Flora Danica"

LARGE PORCELAIN ICE DOME "FLORA DANICA".

Royal Copenhagen.
Date: 1990.
Maker/Designer: Model J.C. Bayer.
Technique: Porcelain, enriched in colours and gold.
Description: Bottom plate with serrated rim and pink-golden décor, characteristic for the Flora Danica service. Irregularly placed foliage leaves form the openwork top of the dome. On top of it a fully sculptured violet tulip as a handle. The wall is worked in an openwork basket pattern decorated with blossoms. Imbedded in it are four medallions with finely painted botanical plant depictions. Inside the dome the Latin names of the depicted plant motifs:
Quercus sessiliflora Lm.
Orchis mascula L.
Chrysanthemum leucanthemum L.
Rosa suavifolia Lightf.
Measurement: Ø bottom plate 31,5cm, Ø Dome 27,5cm, height dome 21cm.
Mark: Manufactory mark in green with markers for the years 1985-1991, wave mark in underglaze blue, different painter's no. and model no. Both parts with the jubilee inscription Flora Danica 1790-1990.


The ice dome with bottom plate is one of the most opulent and expensive models of the
famous Flora Danica service and forms an interesting and unique specimen in the context of
upscale table culture in the 18th century. There is no other known model from any other
manufactory and it can therefore be assumed that it was an invention of the Danish
porcelain makers at Royal Copenhagen. Because of the model name, it is not uncommon to
assume that the bell was used as a serving dish for ice cream or other desserts. However,
this was not the case: the dome was intended to cover a large block of ice, which cooled
the table guests by evaporation. It was, so to speak, an early version of air conditioning
at festive banquets.