Chinaware Brands: The Most Famous Names

There are many famous chinaware brands, with some of the most notable being Meissen, Nymphenburg, Royal Copenhagen, Wedgwood, Royal Crown Derby, Royal Worcester, Royal Albert, Herend, Lenox, and Noritake. These brands are known for their high-quality, elegant designs and have become synonymous with luxury and style. The history of chinaware is a fascinating one, with some brands dating back centuries and even being used by royalty. Today, these brands continue to be sought after for their beauty, durability, and unique styles, enhancing the dining experience and adding a touch of sophistication to any table setting.

Luxury porcelain

Porcelain is a type of ceramic material that is made by heating materials, including clay in the form of kaolin, in a kiln to temperatures between 1,200 °C (2,192 °F) and 1,400 °C (2,552 °F). The three main types of porcelain are true, or hard-paste, porcelain; artificial, or soft-paste, porcelain; and bone china.

• Meissen Porcelain: The first European hard-paste porcelain was produced in the Meissen factory in 1710. It is known for its strength, high resistance to heat and acids, and clear ringing sound. Meissen porcelain is often decorated with paintings depicting natural beauty and ornaments in Chinese and Japanese styles, as well as German motifs such as lace patterns and flowers.
• Imperial Porcelain Manufacture (IPM): This manufacturer is known for its high-quality porcelain and is designed for consumers with conservative preferences. IPM offers a wide range of products, including sets, souvenirs, vases, sculptures, and museum replicas.
• Rosenthal Porcelain: A well-known German manufacturer of porcelain and accessories for the table and kitchen. Rosenthal creates unique and stylish collections of tableware, as well as glass products, cutlery, and kitchen accessories.
• Wedgwood Porcelain: This brand is synonymous with respectability and true English quality and style. Wedgwood tableware is made of fine porcelain, making it lightweight and durable. The brand is known for its soft pastel cream shades, which give its tableware an elegant and aristocratic feel.
• Herend: A Hungarian manufacturer of porcelain tableware and home decor. Herend is known for its high-quality, hand-painted designs, and its products are often found in the collections of royalty, dignitaries, and celebrities.
• Ginori 1735: An Italian manufacturer of porcelain tableware and centrepieces. Ginori 1735 offers a range of designs, from simple white patterns to luxurious and richly coloured dinnerware.

Tableware styles

The quality, nature, variety, and number of tableware objects also depend on personal preferences and the space available for storage.

Formal Dinnerware

Formal dinnerware sets are typically made from bone china or porcelain. These sets are ideal for elegant dinner parties and formal gatherings. They often come in neutral colours like white or ivory, with intricate designs and gold or silver accents. Formal dinnerware is usually sold in place settings, which include all the pieces needed for one person.

Casual Dinnerware

Casual dinnerware is perfect for everyday use and can be made from various materials such as stoneware, earthenware, or melamine. These sets are typically more durable and shatter-resistant, making them suitable for outdoor use and children. Casual dinnerware comes in a wide range of colours and patterns, allowing you to express your personality and complement your home's decor.

Open Stock Dinnerware

Open stock dinnerware is sold piece by piece, allowing you to mix and match within a collection or create your unique set. This option is ideal if you only need a few pieces to complete your collection or want to create your unique set.

Cultural and Regional Styles

Fine bone china

The first development of what would become known as fine bone china was made by Thomas Frye at his Bow porcelain factory in East London in 1748. However, it was further developed by Josiah Spode in Stoke-on-Trent between 1789 and 1793, and he introduced his "Stoke China" in 1796. Spode's formulation of 6 parts bone ash, 4 parts china stone, and 3.5 parts kaolin remains the basis for all bone china.

In the 20th century, bone china began to be produced outside of the UK, including in Russia, China, and Japan. China is now the world's largest manufacturer. Other countries that produce considerable amounts include Bangladesh, India, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, and Thailand.

Porcelain manufacturing

Raw Material Selection and Preparation

The first step in porcelain manufacturing is the selection of raw materials, which typically include clay, feldspar, flint, and silica. These materials are then weighed and prepared through a series of steps, including crushing, purification, and mixing, to ensure they are ready for the forming process.

Forming

The forming process is where the mixed and prepared raw materials take shape. There are several forming methods available, including soft plastic forming, stiff plastic forming, pressing, and casting. The choice of method depends on the type of ware being produced. This stage involves shaping the clay and giving it the desired form.

Bisque Firing

After forming, the porcelain wares are subjected to bisque firing, which involves heating them at a relatively low temperature. This step helps vaporize volatile contaminants and minimize shrinkage during the final firing process.

Glazing

Glazing is the process of applying a decorative glass layer to the surface of the porcelain. The glaze can be applied by painting, dipping, pouring, or spraying. It adds aesthetic appeal and enhances the final product's properties.

Final Firing

The final manufacturing phase is the firing process, where the glazed ware is heated in a kiln, a special type of oven. This step transforms the glaze and body into a strong, unified whole, creating the distinctive qualities of porcelain.

Cooling and Finishing

After firing, the porcelain wares are allowed to cool, and the manufacturing process is complete. The final product exhibits the desired characteristics of porcelain, such as strength, vitreous qualities, and, often, a white or off-white colour.

Notable Porcelain Brands and Manufacturers

Over the years, several brands and manufacturers have become renowned for their porcelain products. Here are some notable names in the world of porcelain:

• Meissen Porcelain: Established in 1710 in Meissen, Germany, it is known for its high-quality porcelain and was the first European manufacturer of solid porcelain.
• Imperial Porcelain Manufacture (IPM): With a history spanning over 270 years, IPM is a Russian manufacturer of luxury porcelain wares, including ceremonial sets and interior items.
• Rosenthal Porcelain: A renowned German manufacturer known for its collaboration with designers and artists, creating unique and stylish tableware collections.
• Wedgwood Porcelain: Synonymous with English quality and style, Wedgwood has a 250-year legacy of producing elegant and durable tableware, favoured by monarchs and heads of state.
• Furstenberg: Founded in 1747 by the Duke of Brunswick, this German manufacturer is known for its exclusive and high-quality porcelain found in luxury hotels and restaurants worldwide.
• Hutschenreuther: A significant global manufacturer of porcelain tableware for restaurants and hotels, known for combining modern technology with traditional craftsmanship.
• Königliche Porzellan-Manufaktur Berlin (KPM): Established in 1763 by King Frederick II of Prussia, KPM has a long history of creating unique tableware and decorative porcelain figurines.

Brand history

Wedgwood is a brand synonymous with respectability and true English quality and style. The brand's tableware occupies a special place in the world of porcelain, distinguished by its high quality and manufacturing traditions, which were established 250 years ago by its founder, Josiah Wedgwood. The brand's classic table and tea sets are made in soft pastel cream shades, making them refined and aristocratic. The secret to their durability lies in the special composition of the porcelain mass. Today, monarchs and leaders of many countries continue to serve their guests with Wedgwood China during diplomatic dinners.

Rosenthal is one of the most famous German manufacturers of porcelain and accessories for the table and kitchen. For more than 130 years, the brand has created products that are unique in their form, function, and quality, symbolizing the cultural value of 'Made in Germany'. In collaboration with famous artists and designers, stylish collections of tableware and creative items made of porcelain have been created as an expression of high table culture. The brand has also diversified its offerings with glass products, cutlery, and kitchen accessories.

Imperial Porcelain Manufacture (IPM) has been inseparable from the history of Russia for more than 270 years, and its china is a unique piece of art. Ceremonial sets and interior items made of Imperial porcelain adorn the residences of many heads of state and are represented in the largest museum collections around the globe. Today, the Imperial Porcelain Manufacture assortment includes about 4,000 items made of hard-paste, soft-paste, and bone china. The Imperial porcelain factory develops, modernizes, and actively takes part in international art exhibitions, and implements social and charitable programs.

Königliche Porzellan-Manufaktur Berlin (KPM) was founded in 1763 by King Frederick II of Prussia, known as Frederick the Great. Throughout its history, KPM has produced a number of tableware items and porcelain figurines, with some forms retaining their original shape for more than 200 years. Frederick the Great, impressed by the Rococo style during his lifetime, is said to have been the brand's "best client". Each piece of tableware and decorative porcelain from KPM is completely unique.

Hutschenreuther was founded by a young artist from Thuringia, Karl Magnus Hutschenreuther, who specialized in porcelain painting. He found white clay in the North of Bavaria, where he established his business with the main goal of achieving high-quality products. For its first eight years, the factory only painted finished porcelain products, as the state did not permit private companies to produce porcelain. However, in 1822, Karl Hutschenreuther received permission to manufacture his own porcelain goods, and the rest is history. Today, the Hutschenreuther plant is one of the most significant manufacturers in the world, known for combining the latest technologies with centuries-old artisanal history.

Furstenberg is a German porcelain manufactory founded in 1747 by the Duke of Brunswick. The brand follows its own rule that all production processes, from mass mixing to artistic finishing, are carried out independently within the manufactory. This has been the key to their success and unique porcelain. Furstenberg porcelain is now found in the world's best and most expensive hotels and restaurants, as well as in private collections. The brand also participates in prestigious exhibitions.

Frequently asked questions