Herend Porcelain occupies a singular place in the world of luxury European ceramics. The firm's vast range of figurines and distinctive patterns are visually striking and notably different from those of other major porcelain producers like Meissen or Sèvres. Whereas the latter tend to feature discrete decorative elements that appear to float on a white background, Herend favors large, bold designs for its porcelain, with its serving pieces, dishes and other works incorporating historical scenes, animals or vegetation.
Vince Stingl established what would become the Herend Porcelain Manufactory in 1826 in the town of Herend, Hungary, to produce earthenware. When he went bankrupt in the late 1830s, Mór Fischer, who took over, switched the focus from earthenware to porcelain to take advantage of the growing European market for fine china.
By 1849, Herend counted among its clients members of the Habsburg dynasty and the Hungarian aristocracy. Thanks to its participation in several important international exhibitions and fairs — including the 1851 Crystal Palace Exhibition in London, the 1853 Exhibition of the Industry of All Nations in New York and the 1855 Exposition Universelle in Paris — its wares became a popular choice for courtly dining in the middle of the 19th century, and its patrons included Francis Joseph I of Austria and Queen Victoria of England, for whom its Viktória pattern was named.
The company foundered in the latter half of the 19th century under the leadership of Fischer’s two sons. But it was given new life, artistically and financially, when Fischer’s grandson, Jenő Farkasházy, himself a trained ceramist, took the helm around 1900. Farkasházy designed new patterns and revived classic ones. After World War II, Herend was nationalized by the Communist government but kept alive its tradition of skilled craftsmanship by continuing to produce its classic patterns. In 1993, after the fall of the Iron Curtain, the factory was privatized once again and today is owned by its management and workers.
Authentic Herend animal figurines — their groupings of white rabbits, cats or pheasants — are often covered head to toe with the factory’s famed “fish-scale” pattern, also known as Vieux Herend, which produces the effect of a dense coat of feathers or fur. The fish-scale pattern also appears on this chocolate cup and saucer decorated in the Cornucopia pattern.
Find antique Herend porcelain on 1stDibs.
Queen Victoria Pattern Herend Porcelain Lidded Urn
By Herend
Located in Guaynabo, PR
This is a Queen Victoria Pattern Herend Porcelain Urn. It depicts a hand painted porcelain lidded urn decorated with colorful flowers and butterflies with gilt green scalloped border...
Porcelain
Herend Queen Victoria Fine Hand Painted Porcelain Vase
By Herend
Located in Sofia, BG
Vintage Herend Queen Victoria vase made in hand painted Fine porcelain. Excellent condition. Hungary, circa 1940.
Porcelain
Classic Lidded Porcelain Urn in Matte Black
By Bo Jia for Middle Kingdom
Located in Manassas Park, VA
Middle Kingdom lidded "Mandarin" urn measuring 11 1/2” high x 4 3/4" diameter. This urn has a traditional shape with a contemporary finish and fits perfectly on a mantel, bookcase, c...
Porcelain
Classic Lidded Porcelain Urn in Dark Green
By Bo Jia for Middle Kingdom
Located in Manassas Park, VA
Middle Kingdom lidded "Mandarin" urn measuring 11 1/2” high x 4 3/4" diameter. This urn has a traditional shape with a contemporary finish and fits perfectly on a mantel, bookcase, c...
Porcelain
$4,351
H 22.84 in Dm 12.6 in
Large Porcelain Urn Vase With Siang Noir Decoration, By Herend Hungary, Mid-20th
By Herend
Located in Vienna, AT
Very large urn-shaped vase with a lid; a bulging, tapered body standing on a flush stand with a straight, superimposed neck; a hemispherically domed insert lid with a pointed, gilded lid knob; smooth surfaces with a black background painting...
Porcelain
Herend Decor "Flower Bouquet" Vase Hand Painted Hungarian Porcelain, Modern
By Herend
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Exquisite vase in hand painted Hungarian porcelain by Herend. In "flower bouquet" pattern. Modern Vase with the charm of the 19th century. Since 1826, Herend's factory has been one o...
Porcelain
$490Sale Price|30% Off
H 5 in W 6.5 in D 5.5 in
Herend Porcelain Queen Victoria 7214 Cachepot Vase Bowl Pot Jardiniere 7"
By Herend
Located in Dayton, OH
Vintage Herend Porcelain Queen Victoria #7214 cachepot featuring hand-painted floral bouquets, colorful butterflies, a distinctive green scalloped border, handles, and 24K gold accen...
Porcelain
$265
H 4.75 in Dm 5.5 in
Vintage Herend Hungary Handpainted Openwork Basketweave Pierced Porcelain Vase
By Herend
Located in Dayton, OH
This exquisite, vintage Herend Hungary fine porcelain openwork vase is a masterclass in delicate craftsmanship, featuring the highly sought-after "Mille Fleurs" (Thousand Flowers) ha...
Porcelain
Herend Flower Vase Hand Painted Hungarian Porcelain, Modern
By Herend
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Exquisite vase in hand painted Hungarian porcelain by Herend. In "flower bouquet" pattern. Modern Vase with the charm of the 19th century. Since 1826, Herend's factory has been one o...
Porcelain
Herend Rothschild Birds Porcelain Vase
By Herend
Located in Antwerp, BE
Herend,Rothschild birds, vase,porcelain,flower. A porcelain Herend Rothschild Birds vase with two goat heads. Marked on underside. Measure: Height 25 ...
Porcelain
Vintage German Porcelain Lidded Urn by Oscar Schlegelmilch
Located in Bochum, NRW
Oscar Schlegelmilch, porcelain lidded urn. Decor of flowers, cobalt blue and gold accents. Marked underneath Oscar Schlegelmilch, „Import“. Height 26 cm. Excellent condition.
Porcelain
Chinese Ming Urn Wucai Porcelain Lidded Jar China Carp
Located in Potters Bar, GB
A colourful Chinese porcelain lidded jar decorated in Ming style with a vibrant wucai palette The rounded body features iron-red carp swimming amongst lotus flowers and aquatic folia...
Porcelain
Herend Hungary porcelain openwork potpourri "Phoenix" vase
By Herend
Located in Delft, NL
Herend Hungary porcelain openwork potpourri "Phoenix" lidded vase An urn shaped lidded vase with openwork body, decorated with scene of phoenix. Marked with Herend, Hungary mark, 1...
Porcelain
$3,435Sale Price|50% Off
H 48.04 in W 15.75 in D 15.75 in
Porcelain - Large lidded urn - Sevres - 19th century
Located in Porto, PT
Porcelain - Large lidded urn - Sevres - 19th century. French, 19th century; in Sevres porcelain; polychrome and gilded decoration on a blue background 'Landscapes with figures and an...
Porcelain
$1,920
H 14.57 in W 7.88 in D 7.49 in
White Lidded Porcelain Urn, Signed Herend, 20th Century, Hungary
Located in London, GB
A fine Hungarian 20th century porcelain urn decorated with roses, marked HEREND at the base.
Porcelain
Vintage Herend Hungary Hand-Painted Porcelain Hussar with Sabre Figurine
By Herend
Located in San Diego, CA
A finely detailed vintage porcelain figurine by the celebrated Herend Porcelain Manufactory of Hungary, depicting a Hungarian Hussar officer examining his curved sabre. The figure is...
Porcelain
Herend Porcelain Decorative Covered Urn
By Herend
Located in Tarry Town, NY
Classic Herend Queen Victoria pattern is tranformed from special dinnerware into a beautifully decorated urn/vase. Stunning art in its own right and b...
Gold
Large Herend Porcelain Decorative Vase / Urn
By Herend
Located in Tarry Town, NY
Classic Herend Queen Victoria pattern is transformed from special dinnerware into a beautifully decorated urn/vase . Stunning art in its own right , the handles of the urn/ vase are ...
Gold