Nymphenburg Porcelain: Manu-factum Since 1747
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In Munich, the time-honoured art of Bavarian porcelain-making has remained unchanged for almost 280 years in the hushed workshops and silent studios of Porzellan Manufaktur Nymphenburg. Carefully hand-made by artisans using proprietary colours and patterns, Nymphenburg ceramics are today regarded as some of the finest in the world. Joe Mortimer delves into the history of a brand synonymous with quality, luxury and craftsmanship, and peeks behind the curtain of Kempinski Royal Residence Nymphenburg.
Uncovering the arcane arts of Nymphenburg
Pink-plumed parrots stand sentinel in the gardens of Munich’s Porzellan Manufaktur Nymphenburg, where the Latin term ‘manu-factum’ – made by hand – is upheld with an almost religious devotion. Masters of the art of fine porcelain production since the company was founded in 1747, Nymphenburg artisans still produce every beautifully crafted piece using age-old techniques.
An artisan puts the finishing touches to a fine porcelain parrot using a scalpel.
Established by Maximilian III, Elector of Bavaria, during a period when Europe was in the thrall of porzellankrankheit, or porcelain madness, Nymphenburg became a hallmark of quality prized among members of the aristocracy; its fine ceramics considered as both a status symbol and a mark of high taste. Nymphenburg tableware and decorative pieces would be found in palaces and royal courts across the Holy Roman Empire, bringing precision craftsmanship, elegant design and a touch of whimsy to regal dining rooms.
Intrigued? Step inside the manufactory and residence here.
CENTURIES OF CRAFTSMANSHIP
Since 1761, Porzellan Manufaktur Nymphenburg has been headquartered in Munich in a beautiful Cavalier House – one of several mansions built for palace courtiers in the 18th century – opposite Schloss Nymphenburg, the Palace of the Nymphs: a Baroque masterpiece and former summer residence of the House of Wittelsbach, which ruled over Bavaria until 1918.
Behind the pastel façade is a warren of workshops where craftsmen use custom-built tools to carve intricate patterns and artists decorate ornate pieces by hand. Work is permeated by a silence born from intense focus and the absence of noisy machinery; a reverent hush punctuated by the creak of centuries-old floorboards and the factory’s ancient mill. As in days gone by, belt-driven potters’ wheels, grinding drums and mixing vats are powered by water from the palace canals, making Nymphenburg one of the most energy-efficient factories in the world.
Every work of art is lovingly cast, finished and painted by hand.
The detailed process cannot be rushed.
Porcelain painters use fine tools to bring out details of characteristics and facial expressions.
The journey towards porcelain starts on paper.
Nymphenburg is famous for its lifelike animal figurines.
FROM PASTE TO PORCELAIN
There’s an unspoken understanding here that work of this calibre cannot be rushed. Porcelain paste is ground and mixed at the factory and allowed to mature for at least two years before it is used. Pigments too are selected and blended in-house – sometimes with herbs and scented oils that perfume the workshop – from a proprietary collection of more than 15,000 shades, and a template of every Nymphenburg object ever made is kept in the archive for posterity and future use.
Fur and plumage details are refined by hand.
The company’s current collection reflects its ability to constantly evolve without compromising on its founding ethos. Elaborate tableware and service sets based on traditional Bavarian and Rococo patterns are still produced alongside more contemporary collections. Decorative items like wall tiles, lamps and washbasins put Nymphenburg at the crossroads of form and function, while collaborations with brands including Austrian distillery Reisetbauer and fashion icons like Karl Lagerfeld and Vivienne Westwood reflect the company’s pioneering and sometimes playful spirit.
A menagerie of birds and animals including the iconic rhinoceros Clara – modelled on a real rhinoceros that was brought to Europe from India in the 18th century to the delight of awestruck crowds – and those pink majolica parrots play a starring role in the collection, as does a troupe of decorative figurines depicting characters from Commedia dell’Arte – the Italian theatre popular in Europe throughout the 1700s.
A plumed porcelain parrot occupies in a vintage cage in one of the sitting rooms at Kempinski Royal Residence Nymphenburg.
The original porcelain masters of Bavaria were known as ‘arcanists’, meaning those in possession of secret knowledge. The term evolved to describe those versed in the arcane arts of magic and alchemy. From these ethereal lithophane panels to the impossibly intricate figurines and the age-old techniques used within the Porzellan Manufaktur Nymphenburg, there’s more than a little magic on display in this rare and exquisite corner of Bavaria.
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A palace for the soul
Nowhere does the artistry and elegance of Nymphenburg shine brighter than at Kempinski Royal Residence Nymphenburg. Situated in another Baroque Cavalier House a few hundred metres from the manufactory, this exquisite villa is a living museum where guests are immersed in Nymphenburg craftsmanship.
In the master bedroom of Kempinski Royal Residence Nymphenburg, a parade of fine porcelain figurines marches along the bed frame.
In every room, an ensemble of works is displayed in a cabinet of curiosities, while functional items like tea sets, vases, ceiling lights and a butler-summoning tortoise are as elegant as they are useful. Hand-painted fish swim across the wall tiles in one of the seven bathrooms, while another showcases a spectacular lithophane artwork made from wafer-thin translucent porcelain panels. The technique finds its apogee in the sauna where, at the touch of a light switch, four plain white panels are transformed into vividly rendered landscapes in purest bisque porcelain. Alongside the treasure trove of timeless Nymphenburg art there are even a handful of contemporary cameos, including the limited-edition Pegasus created for Nymphenburg by British artist Damien Hirst.
This limited-edition Pegasus was created in collaboration with Damien Hirst.
Hand-painted fish seemingly swim across the walls of the elegant bathroom.
Every item comes from a hand-picked collection of artisans and design studios.
Curiosities await around every corner.
The sauna offers a luxuriously private moment of peace.
Artistry and elegance characterises the spacious living area.
In the inspiring surrounds of Kempinski Royal Residence Nymphenburg, memories of your special moments will be woven into the tapestry of the palace’s rich history. From large-scale events to intimate dinners, and the discovery of nearby Munich, our team of experts is on hand to ensure that every moment is exceptional.
And yet the bespoke character of the residence extends far beyond its walls, since stays become one-of-a-kind with special dinners and events curated by the expert team at Hotel Vier Jahreszeiten Kempinski Munich. Underscored by the warmth of Bavarian culture, no other place offers the royal Nymphenburg experience.
