Aluminia Porcelain Plate with Blue Lithographic Print of Thorvaldsen motif. C. 1880

Since the first half of the 19th century, Bertel Thorvaldsen (1770-1844) has been considered one of the most important and influential sculptors of his time. Thorvaldsen was born in 1770 in Copenhagen and was admitted to the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts at the age of eleven. His talent earned him the fine gold medal from the Royal Academy of Fine Arts and its travel scholarship that took him to Rome in 1797. The day Thorvaldsen arrived there, the absolute cultural center of classical art and its formation at the time, he called his spiritual birthday. In the Eternal City, Thorvaldsen came to live and work for most of his life, until 1838. Thorvaldsen worked as a sculptor in the neoclassical style and had a large studio in the city. In a style based on harmony, balance and exalted human ideals, often mirrored in ancient mythology, he created a series of masterpieces; statues, reliefs, portraits and monuments. In Rome he called himself Alberto, which is why the initials AT (Alberto Thorvaldsen) appear on some of his sculptures. This name became widely known, and over time he received commissions from royal commissions and princely houses in Europe. Thorvaldsen was the main competitor for the honor of Antonio Canova (1757-1822) and then, after the death of the Venetian master, as the most important sculptor in Europe, mentor to a large number of young highly talented artists. Thorvaldsen and Canova transformed the very idea of sculpture and its techniques to create works of art that inspired their contemporaries and generations of their followers.

Aluminia was a Danish ceramics factory established in 1863 in Copenhagen. Later, Aluminia became part of Royal Copenhagen, another well-known Danish porcelain company. Here are some key points about Aluminia: 1. **Establishment:** Aluminia was founded in 1863 by August Schiøttt (1834-1863) as a small earthenware workshop in Copenhagen, Denmark. 2. **Production:** Aluminia initially specialized in the production of earthenware, which is a type of ceramic made of clay and covered with a tiny glaze to achieve a shine. Later they expanded their range to include porcelain. 3. **Artists and Designers:** Aluminia collaborated with several well-known Danish artists and designers, including artists like Johannes Hedegaard and Nils Thorsson. These artists created unique and distinctive designs that came to define Aluminia's style. 4. **Merger with Royal Copenhagen:** In 1882, Aluminia was acquired by Royal Copenhagen, another well-known Danish porcelain company. After the merger, production continued under the name "Aluminia Royal Copenhagen." 5. **Faience and Porcelain:** Aluminia was known for both their faience and porcelain production. Their porcelain included a range of tableware and decorations that were popular and became coveted collectibles. 6. **Nils Thorsson:** Nils Thorsson, a prominent designer, was responsible for many of Alumina's most iconic pieces. His designs have become known for their creative and modern expression. Although Aluminia as an independent brand no longer exists, the legacy lives on in the products created under this name and in the continued work with ceramics and porcelain under the Royal Copenhagen name.