An Overview of the Tenera Faience Art Pieces (1958–1967)

In 1958, the artistic director Nils Thorsson launched the Tenera collection at Aluminia. It represented a modern renewal of the company's long tradition of faience art pieces.

Nils designed all the forms for the series, while six young Scandinavian designers developed the hand-painted motifs. The decors often feature stylized plants, animals, and figures in a distinctive blue and purple color palette.

New forms and decors were introduced to the Tenera series until 1967. In 1969, the Aluminia brand was officially retired, and Tenera pieces were thereafter produced and sold under the Royal Copenhagen name.

In this overview, we have gathered all the Tenera models and decors that have passed through our store over the years. Which one is your favorite? 

The lower side marks of Tenera

A lot of information can often be derived from the lower sides of a Tenera object. 

1. The brand (Aluminia before 1969, or Royal Copenhagen after 1969)
2. The production year or years from the dating system of Aluminia and Royal Copenhagen.
3. Factory quality (etched line over the waves for factory seconds)
4. Decor (three-digit number)
5. Model (four-digit number)
6. Decor designer’s mark
7. Painter’s mark

Royal Copenhagen mark, 1974–1978, factory first quality, decor 427, model 3114, decor designer Kari Christensen, and painter’s mark W.

Aluminia mark, factory first quality, decor 441, model 3121, decor designer Grete Helland-Hansen, and painter’s mark B.

Ad poster for the Tenera series

Tenera Models by Nils Thorsson (1898–1975)

Nils Thorsson

Vase, model 3121, height 20 cm (7.9 in)

Vase, model 2942, width 19 cm (7.5 in)

Bowl, model 3178, diameter 26 cm (10.2 in)

Bowl, model 2884, length 23 cm (9.1 in)

Jar, model 2823, length 13 cm (5.1 in)

Dish, model 1355, length 10 cm / 3.9 in

Vase, model 2878, height 18 cm (7.1 in)

Jar, model 3334, length 17 cm (6.7 in)

Vase, model 3114, height 21 cm (8.3 in)

Vase, model 2740, height 28 cm (11.0 in)

Bowl, model 2883, length 17 cm (6.7 in)

Bowl, model 2196, diameter 17 cm (6.7 in)

Tenera Decors by Berte Jessen (1937–2024) from Denmark

Berte Jessen

Berte Jessen’s mark

Decor 436

Decor 206

Decor 439

Tenera Decors by Beth Breyen (1939–) from Norway

Beth Breyen

Beth Breyen’s mark

Decor 168

Decor 130

Decor 107

Decor 108

Decor 109

Decor 110

Tenera Decors by Grete Helland-Hansen (1939–1999) from Norway

Grethe Helland-Hansen

Grethe Helland-Hansen’s mark

Decor 441

Tenera Decors by Inge-Lise Koefoed (1939–) from Denmark

Inge-Lise Koefoed

Inge-Lise Koefoed’s mark

Decor 134

Tenera Decors by Kari Christensen (1938–1997) from Norway

Kari Christensen

Kari Christensen’s mark

Decor 518

Decor 427

Decor 181

Decor 178

Decor 170

Tenera Decors by Marianne Johnson from Sweden

Marianne Johnson

Marianne Johnson’s mark

Decor 142

Decor 151

Decor 174