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Knabstrup

History
Knabstrup Ceramics is an old Danish ceramic brand, which closed down in 1988. The story originally dates back to 1622, when Knabstrup Teglværk was established. The timing for Knabstrup Ceramics starts in 1897, when the limited company Knabstrup brickworks was established. The limited company Knabstrup Teglværk is established H. H. Schou takes over the old Knabstrup in 1897 and establishes Aktieselskabet Knabstrup Teglværk. H. H. Schou had three generations of entrepreneurs behind him and was a very thoughtful and visionary man. The most significant example was the idea of ​​expanding the product range and starting production of flower pots.

Max Wünche arrives at Knabstrup
H. H. Schou was very interested in the fine ceramic part of the clay industry and in 1903 he picked up the German engineer Max Wünsche for Knabstrup and employed him as a factory manager. Together they had to build a ceramic production and the first product to come on the market was flower pots in clay.

The start of ceramics production
Flower pots in clay at this time were very innovative. The first came on sale in 1907 and this was the beginning of the next 80 years of production of ceramic products, which over time included a large number of product categories such as vases, coffee, tea and dinnerware, dishes, bowls, candlesticks, etc.

Scandinavia's largest producer of flower pots
The production of flower pots was relatively fast and in 1911 Knabstrup, as Scandinavia's largest producer, is mentioned. Over time, the range was expanded to include flowerpot skins, which became a fixed part of the range throughout the 1920s.

The first jam jar
On a price list from 1914, pot jars for the first time appear officially in the Knabstrup range. Over time, there have been several different models and the jar jars have historically had enormous significance for Knabstrup. The flower pots in volume were clearly dominant, but measured by earnings, the pots were the most important.

Frida Schou as director
In 1928, H. H. Schou died as a result of serious illness. The daughter Frida Schou then takes over the management of Knabstrup and at that time it was unheard of with a female manager of such a large industrial company. It also gave rise to concerns in the company's board of directors and therefore a co-director was appointed.

Flower pots and jam jars
Knabstrup managed, within relatively few years, to take a prominent role in the production of canned goods. Around 1930, they produced approx. 18,000 flower pots a day and at the same time they produced half of Denmark's consumption of jam jars.

Frida Schou assumes full responsibility
Frida Schou assumes full responsibility for Knabstrup and becomes the only director of the company. She was a very diligent and thoughtful manager, who, according to the standards of the time, had a great focus on the employees. Unpleasant decisions were sometimes necessary, but they were implemented with respect for the individual employee.

Stauning on visit
Prime Minister Thorvald Stauning visited the factory in the 1930s. With the size that Knabstrup had at that time, there was also interest from the government.

Johannes Hansen is employed as an artistic director
In 1953 Johannes Hansen came to Knabstrup and was hired as an artistic director. He was originally educated as a visual artist and with him at the helm, the focus shifted from the decoration of the products and onto the actual design, which was his great passion. He remained artistic director at the factory right up to 1970.

Ildfa Series
One of Johannes Hansen's first launches was the ildfa-series - a series of refractory pottery pots that could be used for serving: "The mold is at the same time pot and dishwasher dish and therefore offers the housewife a saving in time and work." At this time it was most unusual to put the pan directly on the table.

The Tove frame is launched
In 1955, Knabstrup launched the Tove frame, which differed from previous frame productions by having a much thinner sash, a finer glaze and, above all, a uniformity in production, which was not previously seen.

Reliefs
In 1959, Knabstrup was a pioneer who made it possible to decorate his walls with other than paintings. The beautiful, fun and quirky stoneware reliefs were produced in the 1960s and 1970s and continued the story of Knabstrup as an innovative player on the ceramic scene.

The Pernille series is being launched
The iconic spice jars from the Pernille series were launched in 1962. They were designed by Johannes Hansen and decorated by the German ceramicist Dietlinde Hein. They were produced at the factory right up to 1982.

Pondus
It was an order from the Landmandsbanken, which in 1967 started the production of the classic Pondus savings box. The bank wanted a skilled artist to design it and the choice fell on Johannes Hansen. It was a huge success for Knabstrup and you produced them right up until the factory closed in 1988.

Frida Schou resigns from the Executive Board
On March 1, 1968, Frida Schou, who had turned 76, came out of the board. Her co-director page 1965, economist Ib Hjort-Hansen then takes over the full responsibility and Frida Schou continued in the board of directors until 1970.

Financial difficulties
In the period up to 1978, the factory has major financial difficulties. One of the brickworks' largest customers suffers financially, which has major consequences for Knabstrup. At the same time, the oil crisis hits and one tries to keep the company running through rationalization and savings.

Nymølle
In 1977 contact was established for Nymølle ceramic factory of 1976 A / S, which was owned by the ceramicist and painter Bjørn Wiinblad. The capacity at Nymølle was limited and one needed to expand its Wiinblad production, and at the same time saw the management at Knabstrup the opportunity to associate the world-renowned artist.

Knabstrup Ceramic factory
In community, Knabstrup and the Wiinblad group founded Knabstrup ceramic factory A / S on January 1, 1978. However, the operating results were no longer positive and liquidity was under pressure, so one quickly agreed that the Wiinblad group should continue the ceramics production alone.

The factory closes
The years up to 1988 were a turbulent period with continued rationalization, reduction of product range and continued savings in ceramics production and in 1988 Wiinblad for the last time turns the key to the whole of Denmark's ceramic factory.

Knabstrup Ceramics is relaunched
The ambition is to put the ceramic craft in focus and continue the unique story of Knabstrup Keramik with great respect for history. Knabstrup Ceramics has had a share in the proud Danish tradition of ceramics. We would like to continue that story - with pride, laugh and love for the craft.

Potters
Knabstrup has over time collaborated with a large number of ceramists and artists. From around 1930 many artists came to Knabstrup Ceramics, and you gathered inspiration from all over the world. This tradition of working with ceramics continues today.
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