To celebrate its 250th anniversary, Royal Copenhagen tapped Danish artist and sculptor Klara Lilja for a collaboration that blends meticulous craftsmanship with the magic of nature
Few companies reach the remarkable milestone of 250 years in business — but this month, Royal Copenhagen, the iconic Danish porcelain maker, does just that. To mark the occasion, the brand has unveiled an enchanting artistic collaboration, staying true to what it does best.
In collaboration with Danish sculptor and artist Klara Lilja, Royal Copenhagen presents 'As Above, So Below': a collection of 25 one-of-a-kind art platters that blend the brand’s refined craftsmanship with Lilja’s poetic, whimsical, and otherworldly aesthetic. “My style is quite lush and wild, whereas Royal Copenhagen has a very perfectionistic approach,” says Lilja. “But we share a commitment to quality over quantity. I made the pieces as complex as possible because I knew the porcelain factory’s craftsmen could handle it – I wanted to challenge both them and myself.”
Photo: Courtesy of Royal Copenhagen
Photo: Courtesy of Royal Copenhagen
Photo: Courtesy of Royal Copenhagen
Like many artists, Lilja finds a wellspring of inspiration in nature and all its wonders – one she tapped into once again for this collaboration. Split into three distinct editions – ‘Ocean’, ‘Land’, and ‘Air’ (though no two platters are precisely the same) – the collection features fantastical flora and fauna adorning the hand-crafted pieces. Take, for instance, ‘Ocean’, where starfish, snail shells, and fish eggs crown a vibrant, turquoise-toned platter recalling aquatic depths. “‘Ocean’ was the first of the art platters that I made, and the first one I visualised,” Lilja explains. “The ocean is where life first began and in the same way, this platter tells the first part of the collective story.”
Then there’s ‘Air’, which blooms with delicate greenery, paired with aerial creatures like butterflies – a key motif in Lilja’s work – and dragonflies, all set against a soft pink background like a sky lit by a magical sunset. “I’ve always loved butterflies, and I even used to breed them,” Lilja says. “When the caterpillar finally turns into a butterfly, it is actually the final stage of its life; they only live for one season. This art platter is the great fireworks right before the end.”
'Ocean'. Photo: Courtesy of Royal Copenhagen
'Land'. Photo: Courtesy of Royal Copenhagen
'Air'. Photo: Courtesy of Royal Copenhagen
Crafted with the utmost attention to detail, each platter has been finished with vibrant glazing, a technique deeply rooted in both Lilja’s practice and Royal Copenhagen’s history, bringing the embellishments to life and giving each piece an eye-catching finish.
“Royal Copenhagen has a rich historical archive of artist collaborations, and each of them has taught us something valuable,” reflects Jasper Toron Nielsen, creative director of Royal Copenhagen. “Klara pushed our craftsmen to work in a freer, more organic way and the result really showcases their immense abilities as well as Klara’s personal style and language in which she speaks to a new generation of collectors in a unique and exciting way.”
The Klara Lilja x Royal Copenhagen artworks and exhibition can be experienced at Royal Copenhagen’s flagship store in Copenhagen from May 2nd to the beginning of August 2025. The works are available for purchase by request; please contact the store directly for inquiries.