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.
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Karl Ens Porcelain Couple Figurine, Rococo Style, Germany, 1920s
By Karl Ens
Located in Uppsala , SE
Karl Ens Volkstedt, Germany 1920s Porcelain couple in 18th Century dress, Rococo style. Vintage porcelain figure; hand painted; pastel colors; gloss finish. ENS backstamp. Measure...
Porcelain
Royal Dux Art Deco Porcelain Figurine, Dancing Sisters, 1930s
By Royal Dux
Located in Uppsala , SE
This is a porcelain figurine by Royal Dux, depicting two dancing women, often referred to as "Dancing Sisters" or "Dancing Ladies". This figural group was created by Elly Strobach K...
Porcelain
Art Deco Porcelain Figure Pink Dancing Woman Fasold & Strauch Germany
By FASOLD & STAUCH
Located in Uppsala , SE
This is an Art Deco porcelain dancer figurine, likely produced by Fasold & Stauch. 1940-1950 Fasold & Stauch was a German porcelain factory...
Porcelain
Dresden Porcelain Lockurna by Carl Thieme, Rococo Style, 20th Century
Located in Uppsala , SE
A Dresden Carl Thieme Potschappel porcelain lockurna (lidded urn or potpourri urn) from the Early 20th century. These pieces are characteristic of the Rococo style, typically featur...
Porcelain
Rococo Cobalt Blue Gilt Flowers Vase Meissen Germany
By Meissen Porcelain
Located in Uppsala , SE
Meissen Amphora Vase This porcelain vase features a cobalt blue background with intricate gold decoration and polychrome flower painting. It stands o...
Porcelain
Meissen Cobalt Floral Vase with Gold Accents, 1924-1934
By Meissen Porcelain
Located in Uppsala , SE
Indulge in the timeless allure of the “Cobalt Elegance” Meissen Porcelain Floral Vase with Gold Accents. This exquisite masterpiece seamlessly marries the richness of cobalt blue w...
Porcelain
Nymphenburg Frankenthal Figurine 'Guitar Player', Germany, 1923
By Nymphenburg Porcelain
Located in Vienna, AT
Very rare figurine from the former manufacturer Frankenthal. The young man, dressed in Rococo style: black knee breeches, white stockings, fitted, white, striped jacket with puffed ...
Porcelain
Meissen Lady Lute Player Kate Hyan by Hoesel Erich V 143 Made circa 1912
By Erich Hoesel
Located in Vienna, AT
Meissen rarest figurine: female lute player (= Kate Hyan) Measures / dimensions: height: 10.23 inches width: 8.26 inches depth: 6.10 inches Manufactory: Meissen Hallmarke...
Porcelain
Rare Goldscheider Vienna Figure, Dancer With Guitar, by Josef Lorenzl, ca 1930
By Goldscheider Manufactory of Vienna, Josef Lorenzl
Located in Vienna, AT
Rare Goldscheider Art Déco figurine of around 1930: Dancer with brown hair pinned up at the nape of her neck in a dress flared like a fan with flounces and floral decoration, leaning...
Ceramic
Meissen Rococo Porcelain Figurine of a Lady, Hand-Painted, Circa 1740
By Meissen Porcelain
Located in Basildon, GB
A good 18th Century Meissen Figurine of a Lady, circa 1740, modelled by Peter Reinecke wearing a hat with a ribbon, floral dress and holding a bouquet of flowers and standing on a fl...
Porcelain
Antique German Heubach Brothers Porcelain Girl Cellist Figurine Vase, circa 1900
By Fritz Heubach 1
Located in Lisbon, PT
An exquisite antique German porcelain figurine vase depicting a young female cello musician, attributed to the Heubach Brothers (Gebrüder Heubach) porcelain manufactory in Lichte, Thuringia, Germany, dating to the early 20th century. Elegantly modeled and beautifully hand-painted, this delightful figure portrays a young musician wearing an oversized pale yellow bonnet with finely textured detailing, a charming pink bow at the neckline, and a softly colored lavender dress with delicate ruffles and ornamental accents. Her pink-striped stockings, powder-blue shoes, and expressive hand-painted facial features bring a whimsical elegance to the composition, demonstrating the attention to sculptural detail characteristic of antique German decorative porcelain. The young musician holds a large cello-shaped instrument adorned with raised porcelain roses, sculpted leaves, and graceful pink decorative outlines. The ivory-colored instrument, with its naturally aged painted and gilded details, creates a harmonious contrast with the figure's delicate pastel costume. Combining sculptural artistry with the practical function of a decorative vase, this unusual porcelain piece captures the romantic charm of European musical figurines...
Porcelain
Porcelain Figure "Pierrot with Guitar", Germany by Fasold & Stauch, 1930s
By FASOLD & STAUCH
Located in Rīga, LV
Porcelain figure "Pierrot with guitar", Fasold & Stauch, Germany, 1930s Additional Information: Materials: Porcelain, underglaze hand painting Vintage from the 1930s Artist...
Porcelain
