Porcelain bowl painted with scene of the Battle of Copenhagen, 1801

Porcelain bowl, painted in full colour with a continuous scene of the Battle of Copenhagen, 1801. In the foreground, a group of Danish officers stands beside their flag. The battle frieze has gilt borders and the bowl has a gilded decoration around the rim. The lower third of the bowl is painted with small blue flowers on a white background. Inscribed on a cartouche on a pink background: 'Tilignet/O. Fischer/og alle brave Danske/Kiobenhavn 2 April 1801/af Roepstorff' (dedicated to O. Fischer all brave Danes Copenhaven 2 April by Roepstorff). The cartouche is surrounded by a laurel wreath and surmounted by a lion's head and skin with a Medusa mask below it. This is one of a limited edition produced as a tribute to the Danish officers who defended Copenhagen against Nelson's attack in April 1801. They were commissioned by governor U. W. de Roepstorff in 1805. In total, 21 bowls decorated in full colour were presented to the more senior officers and 23 in sepia to the junior ranks. Olfert Fischer was the Danish commander. The depiction of the battle is based on a watercolour by C. A. Lorentzen. Frederiksborg Castle, Denmark, has an example of slightly different design, with a cover and stand, dated 1817. There is a factory mark on the base.Royal Danish Porcelain Manufactory