Plates From This Royal Dinnerware Series Can Sell For Thousands Apiece

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Imagine porcelain dinnerware so rare and beautiful that most undamaged pieces in good condition cost four figures, and a complete service can run more than the mean American starter home. These plates exist: the collection is Flora Danica by Royal Copenhagen. The dinnerware has been made in Denmark since the late 18th century and is still manufactured today, and no two pieces are alike. Its high prices come from the exquisite artistry that goes into crafting each piece — these are not teacups and dishes on which you will serve no-bake dirt cups for dessert, for instance, or even the best frozen pizza brand. Flora Danica commands celebration, which is why even the Danish royal family only pulls their historic set out for especially important affairs of state.

The botanical motifs on Flora Danica dinnerware are derived from etchings made in the many volumes of the "Flora Danica" series of books by Georg Christian Oeder, who made detailed and loving depictions of Denmark's plants and flowers. Pictures of plant life are hand-painted on the china by artists, even today. The porcelain is fired between every color that is laid down to ensure that there is no smudging or transfer, to the point where each piece may be fired as many as 16 times! To finish the piece off, gold accent paint is applied, and the pieces are polished to a high shine. There are fewer than 20 artists in the whole world qualified to paint Flora Danica china.

The original service of Flora Danica, which consisted of over 1,800 pieces, was commissioned by Christian VII of Denmark in 1790 as an extravagant gift for his political ally, Empress Catherine the Great of Russia, who was known for her love of china. The service took over a decade to finish, during which time the empress died. Therefore, the Danish royal family held onto the china, which has been passed down over generations with most of the pieces intact — today, around 1,503 remain, having been brought out the last time (as of this writing) in 1990 for the queen's birthday festivities.

Today, your average home is much more likely to use a budget dinnerware set in an attractive color for mealtimes than to whip out hand-painted porcelain. If your pockets are deep enough, however, you can certainly keep an eye on fine art auctions and luxury estates for pieces of Flora Danica ... or even commission your own from Royal Copenhagen. Over 40 forms and 3,000 floral motifs are available, meaning that you can work with the company closely to make your service truly your own. If you want a slightly more budget-minded alternative (we say this with tongue firmly in cheek), Fauna Danica dinnerware also exists, showcasing Denmark's indigenous wildlife. Some of these plates can be had for the comparatively low price of just a few hundred dollars.