How much is Royal Copenhagen worth? Learn how to identify Royal Copenhagen porcelain, understand its marks and model numbers, discover which pieces can be valuable, and find out how to sell your Royal Copenhagen at auction.
Royal Copenhagen is one of the world’s best-known porcelain manufacturers, particularly renowned for its hand-painted porcelain figures, animals, birds, vases, tableware and decorative pieces.
Some Royal Copenhagen porcelain is relatively affordable, while rare, early or particularly desirable pieces can achieve significantly higher prices at auction. If you have inherited Royal Copenhagen, are downsizing a collection or simply have pieces you would like to sell, a professional valuation can help you understand what you have and whether auction could be the best way to sell it.
At Potteries Auctions, we regularly handle collectible ceramics and have sold Royal Copenhagen porcelain including figures, animals, birds, vases and decorative pieces.
How Much Is Royal Copenhagen Worth?
The value of Royal Copenhagen varies considerably depending on the individual piece.
A common Royal Copenhagen vase or figurine may have a relatively modest value, while rare models, early examples, sought-after designs and pieces in excellent condition can be worth considerably more.
Factors that can affect the value of Royal Copenhagen include:
- Age
- Rarity
- Model number
- Design
- Condition
- Size
- Artist or designer
- Decoration
- Original packaging
- Provenance
- Whether the piece forms part of a sought-after series
- Current collector demand
This means that the Royal Copenhagen mark alone does not determine value.
Two pieces carrying similar Royal Copenhagen backstamps can have very different auction values.
35+
Years of experience
FREE
No-obligation valuations
30+
Specialist categories
4
Global Online auction platforms
Recent Royal Copenhagen Auction Results
One of the best ways to understand the market for Royal Copenhagen is to look at actual auction results. At Potteries Auctions, recent Royal Copenhagen lots have included:
This beautiful Royal Copenhagen Porcelain pair of horses, Mare with Foal No:4698 together a with Shetland Pony No:4611. Both designed by Jeanne Grut. Tallest:-10cm recently sold for £188
This beautiful set of Royal Copenhagen porcelain Grebe with Ducklings No: 3194 together with Grebe No: 3263 recently sold for £138
These results illustrate an important point: Royal Copenhagen can sell above its initial auction estimate when there is sufficient buyer demand.
They also demonstrate why identifying the exact model is important when valuing Royal Copenhagen.
Is Royal Copenhagen Valuable?
Some Royal Copenhagen is valuable, but not every piece is rare or expensive.
The most desirable pieces tend to have a combination of factors such as age, rarity, quality, condition, artistic importance and collector demand.
Particularly interesting Royal Copenhagen can include:
- Early porcelain
- Rare or discontinued models
- Highly sought-after figurines
- Animal and bird figures
- Unusual or large-scale pieces
- Works by recognised Royal Copenhagen designers
- Rare tableware and decorative patterns
- Complete or extensive collections
- Pieces with particularly attractive hand-painted decoration
- Examples in exceptional condition
If you have Royal Copenhagen that you believe could be valuable, it is worth obtaining a specialist valuation before selling it.
Other Categories Performing Well at Auction
From precious metals and fine jewellery to sought-after watches and collectable British pottery, our specialists are seeing strong demand across a range of categories. If you have something you’re considering selling, it could be worth finding out what it may achieve at auction.
Gold & Jewellery
Gold, silver and jewellery continue to attract strong interest from buyers. Whether you have inherited jewellery, unwanted gold, coins or precious metal items, our specialists can assess the quality, condition and current market demand to help determine their auction potential.
Sold for £18,750
Get a valuation
Sold for £9,875
Watches
From classic timepieces to sought-after luxury watches, condition, brand and provenance can make a significant difference to value. Our specialists can help identify watches with collector appeal and advise whether your timepiece could be suitable for auction.
Get a valuationBritish Pottery & Ceramics
Royal Doulton, Royal Crown Derby, Beswick, Moorcroft, Wedgwood and other collectable British ceramics remain highly sought after. Our specialist knowledge of 20th-century pottery means we can recognise desirable patterns, makers, rare examples and pieces that may attract strong collector competition.
Sold for £9,250
Get a valuationRoyal Copenhagen Figurines
Royal Copenhagen is particularly famous for its porcelain figurines.
The range includes an enormous variety of human figures, animals, birds and other subjects.
Popular collecting areas include:
Royal Copenhagen Animal Figures
Royal Copenhagen produced many highly detailed animal models, including:
- Dogs
- Cats
- Horses
- Birds
- Ducks
- Geese
- Deer
- Farm animals
- Wildlife
Recent Potteries Auctions results have included Royal Copenhagen French Bulldog, Setter, Dachshund, Grebe, Finch, Sparrow, Artic Tern and Seagull figures.
The exact model number can be extremely useful when establishing what a particular figure is and determining its market value.
Royal Copenhagen Bird Figures
Birds are another important category within Royal Copenhagen collecting.
Examples include:
- Finches
- Sparrows
- Grebes
- Seagulls
- Terns
- Ducklings
- Lovebirds
- Starlings
Some bird models can be relatively common, while unusual or desirable examples may attract specialist collectors.
Royal Copenhagen Human Figures
Royal Copenhagen also produced a huge range of human character figures.
These can depict:
- Children
- Women
- Men
- Farm workers
- Historical characters
- Traditional Danish figures
- Everyday activities
Examples sold by Potteries Auctions have included figures such as Woman Feeding a Calf, Boy with Calf, Amager Girls, Boy with Umbrella and Boy on a Pumpkin.
Royal Copenhagen Marks & Backstamps
One of the most important things to look at when identifying Royal Copenhagen porcelain is the mark on the underside.
Royal Copenhagen has used different marks and backstamps throughout its history.
The famous Royal Copenhagen mark incorporates the three wavy lines, traditionally representing the three waterways surrounding Denmark: the Øresund, the Great Belt and the Little Belt.
The mark can help establish authenticity and, together with other information, can help date a piece.
However, Royal Copenhagen marks should be considered alongside the model number and other characteristics of the item.
What Is the Royal Copenhagen Model Number?
Many Royal Copenhagen pieces have a model or pattern number.
This can be particularly useful when identifying figurines.
For example, recent Potteries Auctions lots included:
- Mare with Foal – No. 4698
- Shetland Pony – No. 4611
- Grebe with Ducklings – No. 3194
- French Bulldog – No. 1457
- Setter with a Pheasant – No. 1533
- Dachshund Puppy – No. 103
- Dachshund Puppy – No. 102
- Dachshund Puppy – No. 3140
If you have a Royal Copenhagen piece, photographing the underside and model number can therefore be extremely helpful when requesting a valuation.
Royal Copenhagen Designers and Artists
Royal Copenhagen worked with many talented artists and designers throughout its history.
The designer can be an important part of the story behind an individual piece and, depending on the model, may also influence its desirability.
For example, recent Potteries Auctions lots included Royal Copenhagen models designed by Jeanne Grut and Ada Bonfils, as well as figures designed by other recognised artists.
When valuing Royal Copenhagen, we therefore look beyond the manufacturer’s name and consider the specific model and its designer.
Royal Copenhagen Porcelain Vases
Royal Copenhagen produced an extensive range of porcelain vases, many featuring the company’s characteristic hand-painted decoration.
Recent Potteries Auctions lots have included Royal Copenhagen vases decorated with:
- Morning glory flowers
- Butterflies
- Spider webs
- Wildflowers
- Blackberry branches
- Swallows
- Dandelions
- Floral designs
- Nautical scenes
The size, shape, decoration, model number and condition can all influence the value.
A collection of apparently similar Royal Copenhagen vases should not necessarily be treated as a group of identical items. Different model numbers and patterns can have very different levels of collector demand.
Royal Copenhagen China and Tableware
Royal Copenhagen is also known for its tableware and decorative ceramics.
Depending on the pattern and period, collectors may be interested in:
- Plates
- Cups and saucers
- Bowls
- Dishes
- Vases
- Jugs
- Serving pieces
- Tea services
- Dinner services
- Commemorative pieces
If you have a larger Royal Copenhagen dinner service or collection, we recommend having it valued before selling individual pieces.
A complete or extensive service may be more attractive to collectors than isolated pieces.
Royal Copenhagen Patterns
Royal Copenhagen has produced a vast number of patterns and decorative styles throughout its history.
Some patterns are particularly recognisable among collectors, including:
- Blue Fluted
- Blue Flower
- Flora Danica
- Musselmalet
- Christmas plates
- Animals and wildlife designs
- Floral patterns
However, pattern alone does not determine value.
The same pattern can contain common pieces alongside rarer or more desirable examples.
For this reason, identifying the exact item and model number is often more useful than simply identifying the general pattern.
How to Identify Royal Copenhagen Porcelain
If you have inherited a piece and don’t know exactly what it is, start by examining the underside.
Look for:
- The Royal Copenhagen three-wave mark
- Any printed or painted Royal Copenhagen wording
- A model number
- A pattern number
- Artist or designer initials
- Date or production marks
- Signs of restoration or damage
Then photograph the piece from several angles.
For an accurate valuation, we recommend providing photographs of both the front and underside of the item.
How Do I Find Out What My Royal Copenhagen Is Worth?
The best way to establish the value of Royal Copenhagen is to have the exact piece assessed by someone familiar with the market for collectible porcelain.
Online marketplaces can provide useful information, but asking prices are not necessarily the same as prices actually achieved.
Auction results can be more useful because they show what buyers have actually paid.
A professional valuation can consider:
- The exact model
- Model number
- Age
- Designer
- Pattern
- Rarity
- Condition
- Size
- Completeness
- Provenance
- Previous auction results
- Current collector demand
If you have several pieces, it can also be useful to have the entire collection assessed together.
Where Can I Sell Royal Copenhagen?
If you have Royal Copenhagen that you would like to sell, there are several possible routes.
Sell Royal Copenhagen Privately
You can sell individual items through online marketplaces.
This gives you control over the asking price, but you will need to identify the item, photograph it, write the listing, communicate with potential buyers and arrange payment and delivery.
You also need to find the right buyer.
Sell Royal Copenhagen to a Dealer
A specialist dealer may offer to buy your Royal Copenhagen directly.
This can be convenient, but a dealer will normally need to purchase below the expected resale price to allow for their own costs and margin.
Sell Royal Copenhagen at Auction
For collectible Royal Copenhagen, auction can be an attractive option because your items are offered to multiple potential buyers.
Rather than agreeing a fixed price with one buyer, competitive bidding determines the final hammer price.
This can be particularly useful for:
- Rare Royal Copenhagen
- Collectible figurines
- Animal figures
- Bird figures
- Unusual pieces
- Complete collections
- Early porcelain
- Large collections
- Items that are difficult to value in advance
From Valuation to Auction: How It Works
Selling at auction doesn’t have to be complicated. Our simple three-step process takes you from your first enquiry to auction day, with our specialist team here to guide you along the way.
Get in Touch
Contact our team or submit your items through our easy online valuation form. You can also join us at one of our free valuation days for expert advice and an initial assessment.
Receive Your Valuation
Our specialists will assess your items using their knowledge of the market, previous auction results and current collector demand. If we believe your items are suitable for auction, we’ll explain the next steps and how we can help you achieve the best possible result.
We Take Care of the Rest
Once you’re happy to proceed, we handle the auction process for you — from cataloguing and photography to marketing, bidding and the final sale. You can then follow your items through to auction and see the results.
Why Sell Royal Copenhagen at Auction?
Royal Copenhagen has a worldwide collector base, meaning that specialist porcelain can attract interest from buyers who are specifically looking for particular models.
At Potteries Auctions, Royal Copenhagen can be offered alongside other specialist ceramics and collectables, putting the pieces in front of an audience actively buying collectible porcelain.
Recent results demonstrate that individual Royal Copenhagen lots can achieve prices above their initial estimates when there is sufficient competition between bidders.
From Valuation to Auction: How It Works
Selling at auction doesn’t have to be complicated. Our simple three-step process takes you from your first enquiry to auction day, with our specialist team here to guide you along the way.
Get in Touch
Contact our team or submit your items through our easy online valuation form. You can also join us at one of our free valuation days for expert advice and an initial assessment.
Receive Your Valuation
Our specialists will assess your items using their knowledge of the market, previous auction results and current collector demand. If we believe your items are suitable for auction, we’ll explain the next steps and how we can help you achieve the best possible result.
We Take Care of the Rest
Once you’re happy to proceed, we handle the auction process for you — from cataloguing and photography to marketing, bidding and the final sale. You can then follow your items through to auction and see the results.
How to Sell Your Royal Copenhagen Collection
If you have inherited a collection of Royal Copenhagen, you do not need to identify every piece before contacting us.
We can help assess collections containing:
- Royal Copenhagen figurines
- Animal figures
- Bird figures
- Human figures
- Vases
- Plates
- Tableware
- Decorative porcelain
- Complete services
- Mixed Royal Copenhagen collections
This can be particularly useful when clearing a house, downsizing or dealing with an inherited collection.
Rather than deciding which pieces are valuable yourself, a specialist can identify the items that deserve closer attention.
Get a Royal Copenhagen Valuation
If you are asking “How much is my Royal Copenhagen worth?”, Potteries Auctions can help.
For an initial online valuation, provide clear photographs of your items along with any information you have about their history.
Ideally, include:
A photograph of the entire piece
This allows our specialists to assess its overall appearance, shape and decoration.
A photograph of the underside
This is particularly important for Royal Copenhagen because the mark and model number can provide valuable identification information.
Close-ups of the model number
If a model number is present, photograph it clearly.
Photographs of any damage
Include chips, cracks, restoration or other condition issues.
Photographs of boxes or certificates
Original packaging or documentation can sometimes provide useful information.
You do not need to know the name, date or value of your Royal Copenhagen before contacting us.
That’s what the valuation process is for.
Royal Copenhagen Frequently Asked Questions
Is Royal Copenhagen worth anything?
Yes. Some Royal Copenhagen pieces can be worth significant amounts, although values vary considerably. Rarity, model, age, condition, design and collector demand are all important.
How much is Royal Copenhagen porcelain worth?
There is no standard value for Royal Copenhagen porcelain. Individual pieces can sell for anything from relatively modest amounts to substantially higher prices depending on the exact model and market demand.
Are Royal Copenhagen figurines valuable?
Some Royal Copenhagen figurines are highly collectible. Rare, discontinued or desirable models can attract strong prices, particularly when they are in excellent condition.
What Royal Copenhagen figurines are worth the most?
There is no permanent ranking because auction values change. Rare models, unusual figures, sought-after animal and bird models, larger pieces and works by notable designers can be particularly desirable.
How do I identify Royal Copenhagen?
Look for the three-wave Royal Copenhagen mark on the underside, together with any model number, pattern number, artist initials or other marks.
What do the three waves on Royal Copenhagen mean?
The three waves are the traditional Royal Copenhagen mark and represent Denmark’s three waterways: the Øresund, Great Belt and Little Belt.
How can I date Royal Copenhagen porcelain?
The Royal Copenhagen backstamp, model number and other marks can provide clues about age. However, dating individual pieces can require specialist knowledge, particularly where marks have changed over time.
What is the Royal Copenhagen model number?
The model number identifies a particular piece or design. It can be extremely useful when researching a figurine, animal, bird, vase or other piece of Royal Copenhagen porcelain.
Where can I sell Royal Copenhagen?
You can sell Royal Copenhagen privately, to a dealer or through an auction house. If you believe your pieces may be collectible, a specialist auction valuation can help you understand which route is likely to be most appropriate.
Can I sell a Royal Copenhagen collection?
Yes. Potteries Auctions can assess collections of Royal Copenhagen porcelain, including figurines, animals, birds, vases and tableware.
Should I sell Royal Copenhagen individually or as a collection?
It depends on what you have. Some pieces may be best sold individually, while groups or complete collections can sometimes be more attractive to buyers. A specialist can advise on the best approach.
Does condition affect Royal Copenhagen value?
Yes. Chips, cracks, repairs, restoration and missing parts can affect value. However, rare pieces can still be desirable even where condition is imperfect.
Can I get my Royal Copenhagen valued online?
Yes. You can submit photographs and details of your Royal Copenhagen for an initial valuation. Clear photographs of the front, underside, marks, model number and any damage are particularly useful.
Sell Your Royal Copenhagen With Potteries Auctions
Whether you have a single Royal Copenhagen figurine, a collection of animal figures, a group of vases or an entire collection of porcelain, Potteries Auctions can help you understand what you have and what it may be worth.
Our specialists have experience handling collectible British and European ceramics, and our auction results demonstrate an established market for Royal Copenhagen porcelain.
Before selling your Royal Copenhagen, find out what it could be worth.
Request a free, no-obligation valuation today.