Wilhelm Kaspar Wegely

German potter

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July 23, 2026

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Wilhelm Kaspar Wegely was a German potter who founded the first porcelain factory in Berlin in 1751. With the assistance of an arcanist, Johann Benckengraff, Wegely established this factory with the patronage of King Frederick II. However, Wegely ceased his involvement in 1757 when Frederick II occupied Saxony and withdrew his support. The early Berlin porcelain produced during Wegely's tenure is rare and of good quality, though its enamel colors sometimes had adhesion issues. After Wegely, Johann Ernst Gotzkowsky acquired the porcelain formula and sold the factory to the king in 1763, leading to its establishment as the Royal factory.1

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Berlin ware
…was founded in 1751 by Wilhelm Kaspar Wegely, with the aid of an arcanist, Johann Benckengraff, from Höchst, and the patronage of King Frederick II the Great. Wegely gave up in 1757 after King Frederick occupied Saxony, became involved with the Meissen factory there, and withdrew his patronage from Wegely.…
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…was founded in 1751 by Wilhelm Kaspar Wegely, with the aid of an arcanist, Johann Benckengraff, from Höchst, and the patronage of King Frederick II the Great. Wegely gave up in 1757 after King Frederick occupied Saxony, became involved with the Meissen factory there, and withdrew his patronage from Wegely.…
Read More