Marianne Martinez
Charles Ahrenfeldt (1807-1894) was a German-born porcelain importer who moved to Paris in the 1840s and opened a porcelain decorating factory. In the 1860s, he established an exporting firm in Limoges, and in 1884, he set up a decorating factory in the same city. Ahrenfeldt's company produced high-quality porcelain, winning a Grand Prix at the 1925 Art Deco Exhibition.
Today, Charles Ahrenfeldt Limoges porcelain is sought-after by collectors, with full dinnerware services commanding a premium. The porcelain was distributed through various companies, including Koch & Braunstein in Cincinnati, and Le Grand Depot in Paris.
Ahrenfeldt porcelain is known for its elaborate decoration, often featuring gilded edges, intricate patterns, and hand-painted designs. The porcelain was also manufactured for specific wholesalers or department stores, resulting in exclusive patterns that are now difficult to match.
What You'll Learn
Charles Ahrenfeldt's history
Charles Ahrenfeldt (1807-1894) was a German-born importer of porcelain who moved to Paris in the 1840s and opened a porcelain decorating factory. In the 1860s, he established an exporting firm in Limoges, France, and began manufacturing porcelain in 1884. Ahrenfeldt's porcelain was known for its high quality and elaborate decoration, often featuring gilded edges, intricate patterns, and hand-painted designs. The company produced dinnerware services, plates, bowls, teacups, saucers, and serving dishes, among other items. Many of their patterns were exclusives manufactured for specific wholesalers or department stores, making them difficult to match today.
Following Charles Ahrenfeldt's death in 1894, his son, Charles J. Ahrenfeldt (1856-1934), took over the company. Under his leadership, a second factory was built in Montjovis near Limoges in 1896, with M. Grob as the appointed manager. The company continued to thrive, winning a Grand Prix at the 1925 Art Deco Exhibition. However, after changing hands several times, it eventually ceased operations in 1969.
Today, Charles Ahrenfeldt Limoges dinnerware is sought after by collectors, with full dinnerware services commanding a premium. The value of Ahrenfeldt porcelain can range from a few hundred to several thousand dollars, depending on the piece's age, rarity, and decorative features.
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Limoges porcelain
Limoges had a strong history of producing decorative objects, dating back to the 12th century when it was the most famous European centre of vitreous enamel production. In the 1730s, a minor industry producing plain faience earthenware was also established in the city.
By about 1830, Limoges had replaced Paris as the main centre for private porcelain factories, although the state-owned Sèvres porcelain, produced near Paris, remained the most dominant brand in the market. After the French Revolution, several private factories were established in Limoges, including Bernardaud, Haviland & Co., and Royal Limoges.
German-born Charles Ahrenfeldt (1807-1894) began importing porcelain to New York City in the 1830s. In the 1840s, he moved to Paris and opened a porcelain decorating factory. In the 1860s, Ahrenfeldt established an exporting firm in Limoges and, in 1884, he established a decorating factory in the city and began manufacturing porcelain. Ahrenfeldt's company produced high-quality porcelain, winning a Grand Prix at the 1925 Art Deco Exhibition.
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Dinnerware sets with gold details
Gold dinnerware sets are a great way to add a touch of luxury to your dining experience. Here are some options for gold dinnerware sets to consider:
Charles Ahrenfeldt Limoges Dinnerware Set:
This set exudes elegance and sophistication. The set includes dinner plates, salad plates, cake plates, ice cream bowls, teacups, saucers, mustard plates, serving dishes, and a gravy boat, all adorned with a beautiful gold gilt meander key border and a scrolled ivy and pink flower trim. This set was distributed by Koch & Braunstein, Cincinnati, and dates back to the late 19th to early 20th centuries. While pieces may have some paint loss or minor chips, it's a great option for those seeking an antique or vintage look.
Macy's Charter Club Gilded 12-Piece Dinnerware Set:
For a more modern option, the Charter Club Gilded collection from Macy's offers a stylish set with a touch of gold detailing. The set includes four dinner plates, four salad plates, and four mugs, perfect for holiday entertaining or everyday use.
Gibson Home Rockaway Stoneware Dinnerware Set:
This set offers a unique combination of grey and gold rims on stoneware, giving it a contemporary feel. The set includes four dinner plates, four salad plates, four bowls, and four mugs, providing service for four people.
Etsy Handmade Organic Porcelain Dinnerware Set:
For those who appreciate handcrafted items, Etsy offers a 24-piece dinnerware set made of ceramic cream-coloured gold-patterned porcelain. This set is perfect for special occasions and can be a great housewarming gift.
Wayfair Yahmir 32-Piece Handmade Porcelain China Dinnerware Set:
This elegant set features exquisite gold edging and is handmade with heart. The set includes eight dinner plates, eight salad plates, eight bowls, and eight cups, providing service for eight people. It is made of high-quality ceramic material and is suitable for dishwashers, making it both durable and convenient.
These are just a few examples of the many gold dinnerware sets available. Each set offers a unique blend of style, functionality, and sophistication, allowing you to create a memorable dining experience for yourself and your guests.
Dinnerware sets with floral details
Charles Ahrenfeldt was a German-born porcelain importer who moved to Paris in the 1840s and opened a porcelain decorating factory. Ahrenfeldt's dinnerware sets are known for their intricate details, with some featuring floral patterns and gilded edges.
Pioneer Woman Vintage Floral 12-Piece Dinnerware Set
This set exudes vintage charm with its elegant floral patterns and teal accents. It includes dinner plates, salad plates, bowls, and mugs, serving up to four people.
Gibson Home Rosetta 16-Piece Ceramic Dinnerware Set
The Rosetta set from Gibson Home features a white floral design on a crisp ceramic base. It includes dinner plates, salad plates, bowls, and mugs, offering service for four.
Pfaltzgraff Gabriela Blue 16-Piece Dinnerware Set
This 16-piece dinnerware set from Pfaltzgraff showcases a sketched floral design with a reactive glaze, ensuring each piece is unique. Crafted from high-quality stoneware, it includes dinner plates, soup bowls, pasta bowls, and mugs for four.
Dakota Fields Yarrington Porcelain China Dinnerware Set
The Yarrington set from Dakota Fields is a burst of colour and sophistication. With four distinct motifs, this set adds an extraordinary aesthetic to your table. It includes dinner plates, side plates, salad/pasta bowls, cereal bowls, and mugs, serving four.
Lenox Butterfly Meadow 18-Piece Dinnerware Set
The Lenox Butterfly Meadow set is an artistic collection adorned with images of butterflies and flowers. Made from durable porcelain, it includes dinner plates, salad plates, and mugs, serving six.
These dinnerware sets showcase a range of floral designs, offering a variety of options to suit your taste and table décor.
Dinnerware sets with pink details
Charles Ahrenfeldt Limoges china features a gold gilt meander key border and a scrolled ivy and pink flower trim. The set includes dinner plates, salad plates, cake plates, ice cream bowls, teacups and saucers, mustard plates, serving dishes, and a gravy boat.
Stone Lain Albie 16-Piece Dinnerware Set
This set includes 4 dinner plates, 4 salad plates, 4 bowls, and 4 mugs. The two-tone glazed dishes are both dishwasher and microwave safe.
Royal Albert Cheeky Pink Vintage 5-Piece Bone China Place Setting, Service for 1
This set includes a teacup, a saucer, a dinner plate, a bread plate, and a salad plate.
Gibson Home Rockaway Round Stoneware Dinnerware Set, Service for 4 (12pcs), Pink
This set includes 12 pieces of dinnerware in a pink colour.
American Atelier 12 Pc Dinnerware Set
This set includes dinner plates, side plates, bowls, and mugs. It is microwave and dishwasher safe.
Elama Mocha 16-Piece Rustic Pink Stoneware Dinnerware Set, Service for 4
This set includes dinnerware for four people in a rustic pink colour.
MALACASA 30-Piece Dinnerware Set
This set includes square plates and bowls for six people in a modern pink design.
Frequently asked questions
Charles Ahrenfeldt was a German-born porcelain importer and manufacturer. He began importing porcelain to New York City in the 1830s, moved to Paris in the 1840s, and opened a porcelain decorating factory.
The value of Charles Ahrenfeldt dinnerware varies depending on the piece and its condition. Prices can range from $165 to $35,000, with an average selling price of $2,750.
Charles Ahrenfeldt dinnerware patterns include floral designs, gold trim, pink flowers, gilt trim, and cobalt blue and gilt trim. Many of these patterns were exclusives manufactured for specific wholesalers or department stores, making them difficult to match.
Charles Ahrenfeldt dinnerware can be found on various online marketplaces, including Etsy, 1stDibs, EBTH, and Chairish.
