Haviland Porcelain has a long and rich history as a family business based in the now famous Limoges region of France. The name “Haviland” has been synonymous with quality porcelain for generations. In fact, Haviland Porcelain is held in such high esteem that it is passed lovingly down from generation to generation as women pass this high quality china down to their daughters and granddaughters.
Haviland porcelain was initially imported to New York during the late 1830s by David Haviland. Although the French porcelain was of premium quality, particularly when compared to the English earthenware that David Haviland imported previously, sales were disappointing. Many of his customers disliked the type of decorations that adorned the porcelain from France. Because David Haviland favored the French porcelain, he decided to establish Haviland porcelain and create designs to suit the tastes of Americans.
Haviland Porcelain relocated to Limoges, France in 1842 in order to export porcelain directly to the United States. David Haviland soon began the innovative practice of hiring artists to decorate the porcelain blanks obtained from the local potteries in Limoges. The norm for the industry previously was to rely on specialized companies to complete the decorations before exporting them to the United States.
By 1865, Haviland Porcelain started to manufacture its own porcelain for exporting purposes. Specializing in dinner sets designed in order to please the customers in America, Haviland Porcelain has been a favorite ever since.
David Haviland's son, Theodore, became Haviland Porcelain's head of distribution and marketing in the late 1800s. Upon David's retirement, another son, Charles Haviland, became responsible for representing Haviland Porcelain in America as well as overseeing the manufacture of Haviland porcelain in Frances. The company went through a rather turbulent time after the death of David Haviland in 1879, however.
|
|
|
Due to a business disagreement between Charles and Theodore that could not be resolved, the original business was closed. The assets of the original porcelain factory were sold. Theodore Haviland created a factory bearing his name in order to develop Haviland porcelain. Charles Haviland, on the other hand, choose to name his porcelain factory “Haviland et Cie” which translates to Haviland & Co. in English.
Though both Charles' porcelain company and Theodore's porcelain company were contenders for the crown of the best in Haviland porcelain, in the end, both companies became known for embodying the high quality and unique decorative designs that set Haviland Porcelain apart from its competitors.
Charles Haviland died in 1921, and in 1931, his company, without Charles at the helm, succumbed to the economic woes brought on by the Stock Market Crash. Theodore's company, however, managed to survive the Depression, mainly due to his excellent skills in marketing. William Haviland, Theodore's son, gained all rights and marks to Haviland Porcelain. He continued creating dinnerware under the Haviland Porcelain name until his retirement in 1972.
William Haviland sold all design rights to Haviland Porcelain when he retired and the Haviland family no longer manages any aspect of Haviland porcelain. Though the Haviland family is no longer involved in the porcelain industry, their name continues to be the yardstick by which other porcelain is measured.
If you have items like these for sale, you may advertise them on this page.
If you know additional helpful facts on this subject, contact us!
Go back to Glossary Main Page.
|
