Haviland China: Austrian-Made Luxury Dinnerware

Haviland China is a company that was first established in 1840 by David Haviland, who owned a china shop in New York City. In 1853, Haviland established his own company in Limoges, France, to produce china specifically for the American market. Over the years, several other companies with the Haviland name were formed by members of the Haviland family, including one in Bavaria, Germany, by David Haviland's grandson, Johann Haviland. This company, known as Johann Haviland China, operated from 1907 to 1924 and produced inexpensive china, with much of it being sold in PXs in Germany after World War II. While Johann Haviland China was founded by a member of the Haviland family, it has no connection to the French or American Haviland china companies.

Haviland China was founded by David Haviland in 1840

David Haviland's offspring went on to initiate their own porcelain companies, leading to many divisions and mergers within the Haviland clan. Théodore Haviland, David's son, left the company in 1893 to start his own, and Charles Field Haviland, David's nephew, also started his own company in 1868. Johann Haviland, David's grandson, started his own company in Bavaria, Germany, in 1907.

The Haviland Company has gone through several changes in ownership and, although the name remains today, it is unrelated to the firm started by Johann Haviland in Bavaria, Germany. Johann Haviland China was lower-quality and was sold at PXs in Germany after World War II. The company was bought by an Italian firm in 1924 and then sold to the Rosenthal conglomerate in 1933.

Haviland China was the first in Limoges to have artists on-site to decorate the porcelain

Haviland porcelain was designed with the American market in mind, and the company soon became the first in Limoges to have artists on-site, decorating the porcelain with a wide variety of patterns. This innovation set Haviland apart from the numerous other china manufacturers in the area.

David Haviland's offspring went on to initiate their own porcelain companies, leading to many divisions and mergers within the Haviland clan. Théodore Haviland, David's son, left the company in 1893 to start his own firm, which moved to the United States in 1936. David's nephew, Charles Field Haviland, married into another porcelain family in 1859.

Théodore Haviland was a very innovative marketer, and both Haviland companies won many prizes at exhibitions. Théodore aimed to have "a set in every home" and his china sets were available through the Sears catalogues of the 1920s for $29.95.

Johann Haviland, David Haviland's grandson, also started his own company in Bavaria, Germany, in 1907. However, this company was unrelated to the French or American Haviland china companies. Johann Haviland China was produced and sold from 1907 to 1924, when the company went out of business. It was then bought by an Italian firm and sold to the Rosenthal conglomerate in 1933, with production continuing under the Johann Haviland name.

Haviland China was designed with the American market in mind

Haviland was the first company in Limoges to have artists on-site to decorate the porcelain. The company designed White House china sets for Presidents Lincoln, Grant, Hayes, and Harrison. However, the primary customer was the Victorian housewife, who was offered a wide variety of patterns to choose from.

Over time, the Haviland company expanded and evolved, with David Haviland's offspring initiating their own porcelain companies, leading to several divisions and mergers within the family. Théodore Haviland, David's son, left the company in 1893 to start his own firm, which moved to the United States in 1936. David's nephew, Charles Field Haviland, also started his own company in 1868.

While there are several branches of the Haviland company, the focus here is on the original Haviland China Company founded by David Haviland, which designed its porcelain with the American market in mind. This is evident from the company's establishment in Limoges, which provided access to the unique white clay used in Limoges porcelain, a style favoured by American consumers. Additionally, the company's early adoption of on-site artists and its production of White House china sets further demonstrate its focus on the American market.

The Haviland China Company's history and evolution are intricately tied to the American market. The company's success and expansion can be attributed to its ability to cater to the tastes and demands of American consumers, offering a diverse range of patterns and designs that appealed to a wide range of customers, from presidents to housewives. The company's legacy in the American market is further highlighted by the various branches that emerged from it, each contributing to the rich history of porcelain design and manufacturing.

Johann Haviland China was founded by David Haviland's grandson, also named Johann Haviland

You may be curious about the origins of the renowned china ware, Haviland China, and its connection to the Habsburg Empire in Austria. Well, you've come to the right place! Let's start by addressing the common misconception that Haviland China originated in Habsburg Austria. While the Haviland name is indeed associated with china ware, its story begins not in Austria, but in Germany, with a man named David Haviland.

David Haviland and the Beginnings of Haviland China:

David Haviland, a talented entrepreneur, founded the famous china company that bears his name in Limoges, France, in 1842. He was drawn to the area by the renowned local kaolin deposits, a crucial component in the production of porcelain. Limoges had long been associated with the production of fine china, and Haviland recognised the opportunity to establish a successful business. Over time, the Haviland company grew to become one of the most prominent producers of china ware in the world, with their pieces highly sought-after for their quality and intricate designs.

The Role of Johann Haviland, the Grandfather:

Now, entering our story is the elder Johann Haviland, David Haviland's grandson. He played a pivotal role in continuing the family legacy. After David Haviland's passing, his grandson, also named Johann Haviland, carried on the family business with great success. Under his stewardship, the company continued to thrive and expand its global reach. The younger Johann Haviland shared his grandfather's passion and business acumen, ensuring the continued excellence and innovation associated with the Haviland name.

Johann Haviland China:

The younger Johann Haviland founded the china company that bears his name, Johann Haviland China. While the company was founded later than some may assume, it built upon the strong foundations laid by his grandfather's company. The "Johann Haviland China" brand was established to create more affordable china ware with a focus on accessibility. This new venture allowed more people to enjoy the elegance and craftsmanship associated with the Haviland name. The company's pieces were often marked with the name "Johann Haviland China" to distinguish them from the more expensive wares produced by the original Haviland company founded by David Haviland.

So, to clarify, Haviland China was not made in Habsburg Austria. Instead, the Haviland legacy began in Germany and flourished in France. The younger Johann Haviland, inspired by his grandfather's success, continued the family tradition by founding "Johann Haviland China," a brand dedicated to making elegant and affordable china ware accessible to all. Thus, the Haviland name became synonymous with both exquisite craftsmanship and democratic design, leaving an indelible mark on the world of china ware.

Johann Haviland China is unrelated to French or American Haviland China

The Haviland Company was first established in 1840 by David Haviland, who had a china shop in New York City. David Haviland travelled to France and eventually settled in Limoges, near the source of abundant kaolin mines, which produced the special white clay unique to Limoges porcelain. Haviland porcelain was designed with the American market in mind, and the company became the first in Limoges to have artists on-site to decorate the porcelain.

David Haviland's offspring went on to initiate their own porcelain companies, leading to many divisions and mergers within the Haviland clan. Théodore Haviland, David's son, left the company in 1893 to start his own, and Charles Field Haviland, David's nephew, also started his own company in 1868.

Johann Haviland, the grandson of David Haviland, founded his own company in Bavaria, Germany, in 1907. The company specialised in producing inexpensive china, with quantities of its products being sold at PXs in Germany after World War II. The firm has no connection to the French or American Haviland china companies. Johann Haviland's company was bought by an Italian firm in 1924, and then sold to the Rosenthal conglomerate in 1933.

Johann Haviland China was initially distributed by Haviland & Co. in the US from 1912 to 1914. However, Haviland & Co. ceased to distribute Johann Haviland China in 1927, and the German company ceased production during World War I, only resuming sales to US customers in about 1922.

In 1947, Johann Haviland China returned to the US market, and by 1948, the company was selling about $50,000 worth of china annually in the US. By 1965, this figure had risen to about $450,000.

There are a few possible reasons why Johann Haviland's company ceased operations within a relatively short time frame. Firstly, the early 1920s was a period of economic downturn in Germany, with hyperinflation affecting the country between 1921 and 1923. This economic crisis could have contributed to the company's financial difficulties.

Another factor could be competition within the china and porcelain industry. At the time, there were several other Haviland companies operating, including Haviland & Co. (Limoges), Haviland & Parlon, Charles Edward Haviland, Theodore Haviland, and Charles Field Haviland. The presence of these established companies may have made it challenging for Johann Haviland's company to establish a strong foothold in the market.

Additionally, the company's closure could be attributed to internal factors such as management decisions, operational inefficiencies, or a lack of adaptation to changing market trends and consumer preferences.

Despite the lack of direct connection to the French or American Haviland china companies, Johann Haviland China shares the prestigious Haviland surname, especially when linked with Limoges or France, in the chinaware business. The Haviland name has generally been associated with expensive, high-quality chinaware of French origin.

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