For your consideration is a beautiful, 1837-1844 Königliche Porzellan Manufaktur (Royal Porcelain Factory) porcelain plaque painting with a scene after Thumann of "The Three Fates". Germany's second-oldest porcelain manufacturer and Berlin's oldest, KPM, is located in Berlin, Germany. It was established in 1763 and is still making porcelain today. KPM was a manufacturer of porcelain dinner services, figurines, painted plaques, vases, and other items during the 18th and 19th centuries. KPM was among the most consistently profitable ceramics businesses in Europe during the 18th and 19th centuries. Additionally, it benefited from significant financial support, first from the Prussian crown and then from the German state as a whole. King Frederick II, also known as Frederick the Great, was disheartened by the collapse of Berlin's porcelain industry and made the bold decision to take over the factory himself after the business had collapsed. He invested a significant amount of money in the new factory, renaming it the Königliche Porzellan-Manufaktur Berlin ("Royal Porcelain Manufactory Berlin"). He also allowed the factory to use his royal sceptre, which has since become a famous symbol. After Frederick the Great's passing in 1786, his nephew Frederick William II took over as ruler, and under his guidance, the factory adopted the newly popular Neoclassical style. Throughout the 19th century and into the modern era, KPM kept on innovating. The new Prussian parliament's construction forced the factory to relocate in 1867. The new factory, which is was now situated by the Tiergarten Park on the river, could now ship all of its products throughout the city on boats. The rest of the 20th Century was a turbulent time for the factory; Its buildings were destroyed in an air raid of 1943, and did not return to their Tiergarten site until 1957, when production continued. The piece shows The Three Fates, Clotho, Lachesis and Atropos front and center. The Fates were divinities in Greek mythology who presided over human life. Together, the Fates represented the inescapable destiny of humanity. In Greek mythology, the Fates were divine beings who personified the birth, life, and death of humankind. The back of the porcelain plaque is stamped with the KPM sceptre symbol and reads, "KPM" underneath it. The piece is set in a decorative, gold colored frame with scroll and floral designs. The piece shows good condition overall with no signs of cracks or damage to the porcelain plaque, the frame shows good condition as well with some wear from its age and use over the years. The art measures 15 3/8" L x 9 9/16" W, while the entire piece measures 22" L x 16 3/8" W x 1 3/8" D.*