When it comes to collecting beautiful porcelain, there are so many brands out there to choose from. But how do you know which ones are worth your hard-earned money?
In this article, I’ve put together a list of ten porcelain brands that are definitely worth considering for your investment. These brands have a reputation for quality and timeless beauty, making them a safe bet for anyone looking to start or expand their porcelain collection.
So, let’s dive in and explore these porcelain brands that are sure to add a touch of elegance to your life.
1. Noritake – Noritake, Japan (1904)
Noritake is a well known leader in tableware manufacturing. Their designs are unique and the quality of their porcelain is excellent.
Noritake was first established by the Morimura Brothers in New York in 1876 and later re-established in Noritake Japan where they strived to create western style dinnerware for export.
Noritake created the first dinner set in 1914 for export. It was called ‘The Sedan’, but it was discontinued because the gold rim was not microwave safe.
Always check if your dinnerware is dishwasher or microwave safe. More info available on the Noritake website here.
Below is a selection of my current favorite designs available to purchase on Noritake’s website.
2. Wedgwood – Staffordshire, England (1759)
Wedgwood is one of the Best Porcelain Brands around. 29 year old Josiah Wedgwood founded the brand in Burslem, Staffordshire in 1759.
Wedgwood discovered Jasper ware while experimenting in his pottery shop. Since then, light blue Jasper ware has become Wedgwood’s signature color. The brand received the Royal warrant in 1995, because they have supplied goods to the royal household for at least 5 years. Here is an example of Jasper blue ware,
How adorable is this butterfly bloom design!
I love this Jasper Conran Chinoiserie White design. Mix and match it with Chinoiserie Green for a striking table scape inspired by the exotic animals and plants of the Far East.
3. Royal Doulton – London, England (1815)
John Doulton invested his humble life savings in a small pottery business which grew into one of the world’s largest and best known porcelain brands in the world. The Pacific Blue design is fresh and modern and it is easy to mix and match pieces for an interesting table scape!
4. Limoges – Limoges, France (1700’s)
Limoges porcelain originated in Limoges, France in the 1700’s where it was produced by factories in the region.
Factories such as Bernardaud and Royal Limoges were established in Limoges after the French Revolution. There are many fraudulent Limoges designs out there, so make sure to buy your porcelain directly from well known manufacturers like J. Seignolles, Reynaud or Philippe Deshoulieres.
Today Limoges continues to be a leading porcelain manufacturing city in France.
Take a look at this beautiful selection available to purchase on Etsy.
5. Herend – Herend, Hungary (1826)
The Herend Porcelain factory was founded in 1826. It specializes in luxury hand painted, hard-paste porcelain.
Herend Porcelain has won many grand prizes and it has been a favorite of aristocrats (including princess Diana and Queen Victoria) for decades!
At the moment I’m in love with this pretty Rothschild design available at selected retailers.
6. Lenox – America (1889)
Walter Scott Lenox opened his small Ceramic Art Company in 1889 in Trenton, New Jersey. The brand continued to rise in popularity as one of the Best Porcelain Brands in the US.
By 1918 President Wilson commissioned 1700 pieces for the white house. Lenox remained a stalwart of prestige throughout the 20th century. Sadly the porcelain factory had to close during the 2020 pandemic.
Lenox porcelain is still available on Amazon or certain outlets below.
7. Royal Copenhagen – Copenhagen, Denmark (1775)
Queen Juliane Marie founded the Royal Porcelain Factory in 1775 to develop domestic products and protect the country’s economy.
Each piece of Royal Copenhagen Porcelain is stamped with the three hand painted waves factory mark (which represent Denmark’s waterways), and the royal crown.
The crown stamp has undergone many transformations over the years. Check the crown stamp to see when the porcelain was created.
Here is a handy resource from the Royal Danish Porcelain website in case you are curious to date your porcelain.
This Royal Copenhagen design is so elegant!
8. The Imperial Porcelain Factory- St Petersburg, Russia (1744)
Empress Elizabeth established the factory in 1744. At the time it was the first porcelain factory in Russia and the third in Europe.
Growing from strength to strength it continued to provide St Petersburg’s palaces with dinner sets during the 1800’s.
Today, The Imperial Porcelain factory’s ‘Cobalt Net’ signature design is famous worldwide, and it is one of my favorite designs as well. You’ll be able to purchase items on Catawiki or Etsy. Here you can check out the catalog.
9. Meissen Porcelain – Meissen, Germany (1708)
Aristocrats were obsessed with Chinese porcelain in the 1700’s, but it was very costly to import porcelain from Asia.
The Europeans desperately experimented with porcelain until they finally found the secret to create the first Western hard paste porcelain in 1708. The factory in Meissen opened in 1710.
In case you are curious about Meissen’s porcelain’s rich and interesting history, you can read more about it here. And here a picture of their iconic blue onion design.
10. Villeroy and Boch – Lorraine, France (1748) Luxembourg (1766)
The Brand was founded in 1748 by Francois Boch and his three sons in France. Eighteen years later they set up their factory in Luxembourg.
In 1836 Jean-Francois Boch merged with the competitor Nicolas Villeroy and so Villeroy & Boch was born.
The company has since then been extremely successful and innovative. They have created among other things a mosaic floor for the Cologne Cathedral, and their products are found worldwide in prestigious locations such as the Bolshoi Theatre in Moscow.
Mix and match pieces from the traditional Villeroy and Boch’s Old Luxembourg design with the updated 2018 Luxembourg Brindille design for a fresh and interesting table scape!
Afterthought
I really like the Villeroy and Boch’s Old Luxembourg design! It’s been around since 1776, so I figured it wouldn’t go out of fashion any time soon. Plus, it’s elegant (not too florally), and I see it as an investment, since pieces like these really keep their resale value.
So, we went ahead and bought the entire series of Old Luxembourg porcelain, from tea and coffee pots to dishes—and twelve of everything else! In hindsight I would have mixed and matched with Luxembourg Brindille pieces!
Well there you have it dear readers; my 10 Best Porcelain Brands Worth Investing in. Hope you have enjoyed reading this post as much as I have enjoyed putting it together. Do you have any favorite porcelain designs? Please drop a note in the comment box below.
Thanks for dropping by!
Sincerely,
Elaine
Related posts:
- 10 Lovely Wallpapers and Matching Fabrics for a Modern Antique Room
- Create a Charming Antique Bedroom Like This With These 6 Ideas
