KPM Welt

The exceptional permanent exhibition KPM WELT (KPM World) invites its visitors to tour the production facilities of Berlin's oldest existing manufacturing operation: the Berlin porcelain manufactury which was purchased by Frederick the Great in 1763. The exhibition is held in the delightful ambience of the still existing factory building.

Visitors are led through a portion of the building complex, thus gaining an overview of Berlin's porcelain history with the aid of luxurious showpieces. In addition to the production process, the significance and attributes of handcrafted work at the highest level are explained. This artistic craftwork is based on longstanding tradition and the competence of masterful craftsmanship.

A small rotunda, modelled on a set design by Karl Friedrich Schinkel for Mozart's The Magic Flute, serves as the prelude to the exhibition. The so-called Sceptre Rotunda offers an overview of the changes to and the significance of KPM's royal sceptre, starting with its introduction by Frederick II in 1763 and continuing up to the present day.

In the next corridor, the Berlin craft enterprise's historical highlights are presented to visitors. KPM's most prestigious work, such as gold engraving, floral and veduta painting, and the famous classic pieces of the modern period, line the route leading into the historical ring-chamber furnace hall.

In 2003, the Hamburg architectural firm of Gerkan, Marg und Partner (GMP) set the stage for today's museum-style presentation by renovating the historical ring-chamber furnace hall of 1871. The elaborate production of fine porcelain is depicted step by step in the midst of the unique industrial architecture. Consequently, it was possible to establish an attractive link between its old and new use.

Another corridor leads deeper into the heart of the enterprise. Visitors are given a glimpse through glass doors of the company coffers – the basement-level model and mould storage room. This is where the company's vast variety of moulds is stored, which the company has accumulated over the course of more than two hundred years. Vivid texts introduce the important artists who have left their mark on KPM's great variety of products.

From the model basement, visitors are led directly into the display workshop, where they can watch a bossiererin (someone who assembles individual pieces to form a figurative whole prior to firing) and a painter go about their fascinating work. The handcrafted porcelain production process becomes a more tangible reality.

The table laid out in the following Boccherini Hall allows visitors to experience, in person, the culture of a royal table. Varying table decorations with different KPM dinner services lend this sumptuous table great artistic effect. This table with 22 place settings can be rented out for special events.

Another room (the Modern Living Room) stages the modern image of life and demonstrates the universal applicability of porcelain in private domestic use.

The new KPM Café offers guests an enjoyable finish to their journey through the world of royal porcelain. You can sit back and recall all the things just experienced while enjoying a light treat – on royal porcelain (URBINO dinner service) of course.

KPM WELT also views itself as a forum for the friends of Berlin porcelain. Additional highlights from the Berlin company's rich history will be presented over the course of three to four special exhibits per year. An almost inexhaustible catalogue of topics awaits.

As a prelude to the future temporary exhibitions, KPM WELT is presenting porcelain creations from Berlin dating back to the beginning of the modern period and continuing up to the early post-war period. The pieces are from collections that were amassed over many years by five collectors with an eye for exceptional quality. In no other European workshop can such an intensive acceptance of revolutionary new design ideas be seen. KPM can rightfully claim to have made a decisive contribution to the development of modern design in Europe.

Would you like to take a seat at a royal table just once? Would you like to host a business dinner, private celebration or company event in the incomparable setting of a luxury production facility in the heart of the capital?

We are happy to offer you advice and to help you implement your personal wishes for your event. Please request additional information, such as a banquet folder.

KPM WELT Event Management
kpmwelt@kpm-berlin.de

Opening hours:
Monday to Sunday 10 am to 6 pm
Last entry is at 5:15 pm.

Admission fees:
Admission: 8 €
Reduced: 5 € (children ages 13-18, students, persons with a disability (50% or above))
Children 12 years or younger accompanied by an adult: free
Tours (should be booked in advance): 10 € per person

Königliche Porzellan-Manufaktur Berlin GmbH
Wegelystraße 1
D - 10623 Berlin
Fon +49 30 39009-0
Fax +49 30 39009-299
kpmwelt@kpm-berlin.de