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How to Identify a KPM Plaque

Throughout the 19th and early 20th century, the German manufacturer Konigliche Porzellan Manufaktur produced high-quality paintings on porcelain plaques. Looking at a KPM plaque is similar to peering into a fairytale or a dream: skin tones are soft and glowing while surrounding colors are deep, rich and completely smooth. At the time of their production, the plaques were coveted by art collectors and the wealthy. These works have retained their reputation, and are highly collectible today. There are many fake KPM plaques in circulation, but identifying an authentic piece is simple.

Things You'll Need

Camel's hair brush
Blower brush

Instructions

- 1
  Clean away dirt and other residue from the surface of the plaque using a camel's hair brush. Rid small cracks and crevices of dust using a blower brush. Occasionally dirt can conceal important identifying marks.
- 2
  Inspect the glaze on the front of the plaque. To seal the piece and protect the underlying paint, KPM applied a rich, shiny glaze to each unit that left the factory. An authentic KPM glaze should bring out the highlights in the underlying paint and be smooth to the touch.
- 3
  Check the artistic quality of the paint work. KPM commissioned highly talented painters to create its pieces, and the plaque should show this. Work that looks shoddy or unprofessional is a sure sign of a fake.
- 4
  Assess the subject matter. KPM plaques usually depict indoor portraits of women, nude studies or group gatherings in lush rural areas. Though subject matter varies, these are common themes to look for.
- 5
  Check the back and side edges of the plaque for the KPM imprint. The stamp depicts a small icon of a scepter over the letters "KPM," and it will be deeply set in the porcelain. Shallow or crooked imprints signal a fake.
- 6
  Look for size markings on the back of the plaque. Many KPM pieces are imprinted with the size of the porcelain panel to allow for convenience during sorting or shipping.

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