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.
Porcelain Four Roses Decoration Cardholder Herend Hungary
By Herend
Located in Uppsala , SE
Beautiful vintage Herend porcelain rose on leaf, hand painted, the rose is a coral pink color, measuring 3" x 3-1/4" x 1-3/4" high overall, fully marked. Set included 4 roses Cardh...
Porcelain
Herend Hungary Porcelain Animal Set of 4
By Herend
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Colorful set of four hand-painted porcelain figurines depicting different types of animals: an elephant, a gorilla, a monkey and a circus bear. Made by Herend Hungary, each adorned i...
Porcelain
Colorful Herend Hungary Pegasus Figurine
By Herend
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Colorful hand-painted porcelain figure depicting a standing pegasus adorned with the iconic fish scale design in black and white. His wings are multicolor and the piece also includes...
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
$6,200 / set
H 6.25 in W 3.25 in D 4.5 in
Set of Ten Herend Fishnet Porcelain Animal Figurines. Hungary, 20th Century.
By Herend
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Charming set of ten Herend Hungary porcelain animal figurines, each decorated in the brand’s iconic hand-painted fishnet pattern with gilt accents. The collection includes a lively a...
Porcelain
Herend White Porcelain Horse Figurine Sculpture
By Herend
Located in Doylestown, PA
1960s hand-painted white porcelain figurine of a rearing horse by Herend Hungary. It features a crisp, creamy white Blanc de Chine glaze with a horse in rearing position raised on a...
Porcelain
$195Sale Price|31% Off
H 9.5 in W 4 in D 3.25 in
Herend Porcelain Hungarian Vintage Folk Peasant Figurine
By Herend
Located in Savannah, GA
The Herend Porcelain Manufactory is a Hungarian manufacturing company specializing in luxury hand painted and gilded porcelain. Founded in 1826, it is based in the town of Herend nea...
Porcelain
Hand Painted Porcelain Pheasant Sculpture from Herend 1970s
By Herend
Located in Milano, MI
Hand-painted porcelain pheasant sculpture from Herend, made in the 1970s Ø cm 22 Ø cm 5 h cm 8 Herend porcelains are among the most prestigious and sought-after in the world. Made ...
Porcelain
$2,292
H 15.75 in W 14.18 in D 5.12 in
Herend Hungary porcelain animal figure of a large Rooster, 1960s
By Herend
Located in Delft, NL
Herend Hungary porcelain animal figure of a large Rooster, 1960s This 40 cm tall Rooster is hand-painted with the Vieux Herend (VHV) Green Fishnet design It has beautiful colors. It...
Porcelain
Set of Four Herend Hungary Porcelain Animal Figurines
By Herend
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Colorful set four hand-painted porcelain figurines depicting different types of animals: a dormouse on top of an apple, a squirrel, a ram, and a pair of love birds. Made by Herend Hu...
Porcelain
Herend Blanc de Chine Porcelain Figurine Death of Cleopatra
By Herend
Located in Lambertville, NJ
A porcelain blanc-de-chine figurine of a dying Cleopatra from the 1920's by Herend. The figure of Cleopatra with a venomous snake. 10 inches tall, 5 inches wide, 3.5 inches deep
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
Set of Nine Herend Fishnet Porcelain Animal Figurines
By Herend
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Charming set of nine Herend Hungary porcelain animal figurines, each decorated in the brand’s iconic hand-painted fishnet pattern with gilt accents. The collection includes a wonderful assortment of animals, including an elephant, ram, hedgehog, horse, bear, mouse, owl and turkey-style bird. Each piece displays Herend’s refined porcelain craftsmanship, with finely modeled forms, bright enamel colors, and hand-applied gilt details to the paws, feet, horns, ears, and accents. The group features a beautiful mix of black, gold, turquoise, blue, and multicolor fishnet decoration, making the set especially decorative when displayed together. This collection is ideal for a Herend collector, vitrine display, library shelf, desk, or decorative tabletop arrangement. The variety of animals and colorways gives the set strong visual interest while still feeling cohesive through the classic Herend fishnet...
Porcelain