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.
Herend White Porcelain Tray Dish
By Herend
Located in New York, NY
A beautiful white porcelain tray dish vide-poche by luxury marker Herend, circa 20th century, Hungary. This rectangular porcelain tray has a latticework open design, braided edge, an...
Porcelain
Herend Porcelain Vintage Jewelry Tray Dish, Hadik Hussar Decor
By Herend
Located in Clifton Springs, NY
Rare and unusual vintage Herend porcelain jewelry or pin dish or tray features rectangular form with rounded corners, decorated with handpainted central motif of a man in antique mi...
Ceramic, Porcelain, Pottery
Herend Porcelain Hand Painted Floral Trinket Vide-Poche
By Herend
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A hand painted trinket dish or vide-poche from Herend Porcelain, circa early 1980s. Founded in 1826, The Herend Porcelain Manufactory is a Hungarian manufacturing company, specializ...
Porcelain
Herend Porcelain Jewelry Dish
By Herend
Located in New York, NY
A very beautiful hand painted octagonal porcelain jewelry dish vide-poche from luxury maker Herend, circa 20th century, Hungary. Dish is octagonal with Queen Victoria design...
Gold
Herend Porcelain Jewelry Dish
By Herend
Located in New York, NY
A very beautiful hand-painted octagonal porcelain jewelry dish vide-poche from luxury maker Herend, circa 20th century, Hungary. Dish is octagonal wi...
Porcelain
Hand-Cast Polished Bronze Indian Bowl, Vide-Poche
By Alguacil & Perkoff Ltd.
Located in London, London
Charming and elegant bronze Indian decorative bowl, vide-poche. The piece is entirely handcrafted with great skills and talent. Cast using very traditional techniques, the bowl is p...
Bronze
William Mehornay Studio Pottery Porcelain Green Celadon Dish, 1980
By William Mehornay
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
We have recently been extremely privileged to meet acclaimed American born studio potter and artist William Mehornay. We are also greatly honoured for him to have entrusted to us pieces made by him in the period 1974-1985, which in his opinion are among some of his finest, and although a relatively small collection of just over 20 pieces they are certainly among the finest produced by any studio potter and a great credit to him. From this unique and rare collection we offer this shallow and finely made studio pottery porcelain bowl decorated in darker green celadon...
Ceramic, Porcelain
Vintage Brass Duck Head Vide Poche Trinket Valet Tray
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Handcrafted decorative vintage collectible brass valet tray duck head shape. Beautiful handcrafted large cast brass bird form this handsome trinket tray is very well made and large scale. A vintage solid brass mallard duck head compact tray for the dresser or home office desk, it has a place for keys, change, pens, keys, trinket holder, jewelry. Heavyweight brass duck head...
Brass
Fornasetti Jewelry Dish Tray
By Piero Fornasetti
Located in New York, NY
An Italian porcelain tray or dish with Greco-Roman design by designer by Piero Fornasetti, circa mid-20th century, 1960s, Italy. Use on a desk/vanity or on a cocktail table. etc. Tra...
Porcelain
Richard Ginori Jewelry Dish Tray
By Richard Ginori
Located in New York, NY
A beautiful vintage Italian porcelain jewelry dish by designer Richard Ginori from the 'Tuscana' fine porcelain collection, circa mid-20th century, Italy. Dish has a center scene of ...
Porcelain
$805 / item
H 1.78 in W 7.88 in D 9.65 in
Black Forest Porcelain Dish Christmas Garland Sofina Boutique Kitzbuehel
By Sofina Porzellan
Located in Kitzbühel, Tirol
Hands-free painted porcelain dish with platinum rim. Painted in a classic black forest Christmas decor with green fir and pine cone garland. Completely handmade in Bavaria/Germany.
Porcelain
$265Sale Price|59% Off
H 1.46 in W 8.19 in D 4.61 in
Royal Copenhagen Hand-Decorated Vide Poche, 1960s
By Ingelise Kofoed, Royal Copenhagen
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Rose, lilac and blue porcelain vide poche bowl designed and handpainted by Ingelise Koefoed for Royal Copenhagen in the late 1950s-early 1960s. Organic modern decor, dark blue linin...
Porcelain
Herend Porcelain Figural Asparagus Covered Box Model No. 6070/C
By Herend
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine figural porcelain covered box. By Herend. In the form of a bundle of asparagus tied together with a pink ribbon. Model No. 6070/C. Simply a wonderful piece of Here...
Porcelain
1940s Hand-Painted Floral Ceramic Vide-Poche Dish
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Small ceramic decorative vide-poche bowl with hand-painted floral decor in burnt umber, green and blue colors. Graphic lined relief along the edges glazed in ochre and green nuances....
Ceramic, Pottery, Stoneware
Herend Porcelain Rothschild Pattern Serving Set
By Herend
Located in Delft, NL
A Herend porcelain Rothschild pattern serving set A Herend porcelain Rothschild pattern serving set, consisting of 8 plates of 15 cm diagonal (5....
Porcelain
$805
H 1.78 in W 7.68 in D 9.65 in
Modern German Porcelain Dish with Beetles by Sofina Porcelain Kitzbuehel
By Sofina Porzellan
Located in Kitzbühel, Tirol
This completely handmade and hands-free painted porcelain dish is made by Sofina porcelain in Bavaria. Hand-painted with a large stag beetle and other beetles. Rimmed with a platinum...
Porcelain
Pair of Herend Porcelain Hand Painted Large Size Ducks
By Herend
Located in Lambertville, NJ
Pair of Herend Porcelain Hand Painted large size ducks. This is the large size. 15" wide by 7 1/2" tall. Good age appropriate condition. Gold is in wonderful condition. There are 2 v...
Porcelain
Queen Victoria Herend Porcelain Decorative Plate
By Herend
Located in Milano, MI
Decorative plate in Herend porcelain, Queen Victoria collection, hand painted with pure gold edging. The plate has an internal crack as displayed in the photos. More information on r...
Porcelain
Sold
H 1.75 in Dm 4.75 in
HEREND - Chinese Bouquet - Raspberry - Round Openwork Basket - Hungary - C. 1976
By Herend
Located in Chatham, ON
HEREND - Chinese Bouquet (Pattern) - Raspberry (Color) - Vintage round openwork porcelain basket - 150th Anniversary edition - hand made - featuring a hand painted floral design to t...
Ceramic
Herend Porcelain Set of Oval Soup Tureen and Large Platter
By Herend
Located in Guaynabo, PR
This is a Herend Porcelain Shanghai/Chinois pattern set of soup tureen and platter. It depicts an oval shaped bowl and large platter in a white background hand painted with different...
Porcelain
Herend Strawberry Finial Bowl
By Herend
Located in Malibu, CA
Interlocking porcelain vines create a lovely openwork lattice with a strawberry finial on top. The bonbonniere opens midway, with a fully removable top half. The heavy use of openwor...
Porcelain
Herend Hungary Porcelain Jewelry Dish
By Herend
Located in New York, NY
A beautiful vintage Herend white porcelain jewelry dish, circa 20th century, Hungary. A beautiful oval piece with colorful flower and leaf design at cente...
Porcelain
Herend "Victoria " Hand Painted Porcelain Basket, Hungary, Modern
By Herend
Located in Cagliari, IT
Magnificent basket in Hungarian porcelain handmade and hand paited with flowers and butterflies decoration, multicolor. The Victoria decor is one of the most important of Herend sin...
Porcelain
Sold
H 1.97 in W 4.93 in D 6.89 in
Herend "Happy Fish" Pair of Hand-Painted Hungarian Porcelain Shells, Modern
By Herend
Located in Cagliari, IT
Beautifull hand-painted Herend pair of porcelain shells with nishikigoi (??, [?i?i?ki?goi], literally "brocaded carp") motifs. In Chinese tradition, koi carps are considered bearers...
Porcelain
Herend "Happy Fish" Hand Painted Hungarian Porcelain Bowl, Modern
By Herend
Located in Cagliari, IT
Fine hand painted Herend porcelain flower shaped bowl with nishikigoi (??, [?i?i?ki?goi], literally "brocaded carp") motifs. In Chinese tradition, koi carps are considered bearers o...
Porcelain