Haviland & Co.
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Porcelain manufacturing |
| Founded | January 1, 1840 |
| Founder | David Haviland |
| Defunct | 1931 |
| Fate | Ceased operations; revived post-WWII under same name |
| Successor | Haviland Company (post-WWII revival) |
| Headquarters | Limoges , France |
Area served | United States, French Canada, Mississippi Valley, Southeastern United States |
Key people | David Haviland, Charles Edward Haviland, Theodore Haviland, William Haviland (great-grandson) |
| Products | Porcelain, silverware, crystal, gift items |
| Website | www |
Haviland & Co. is a Limoges-based porcelain manufacturer established in the 1840s by the American Haviland family, with a primary focus on the United States market. Its most flourishing era occurred in the late 19th century, distinguished by pioneering designs that mirrored the artistic trends of the time in both porcelain and stoneware.
History
David Haviland, an American businessman originally engaged in importing English porcelain and earthenware from New York, recognized the superior craftsmanship of French porcelain and shifted his enterprise to exclusively import from France. In 1842, he moved to France to create direct supply connections with his brothers in New York. To better align with American preferences—which leaned towards English decorative styles—he founded Haviland Brothers & Company and established a decorating school in Limoges. This allowed him to oversee quality and design internally, circumventing Parisian decorators who were reluctant to tailor their work for the US clientele.
At first, Haviland acquired undecorated white porcelain blanks from other Limoges manufacturers and applied decoration within his own facilities. Early kiln technology only permitted low-fire color applications and gilding; however, by 1853, he secured high-fire kilns that enabled complete porcelain production by 1865.
Haviland’s efficient operations and market leadership significantly influenced the French porcelain sector. By 1853, it had become the foremost importer of French porcelain into America, with major markets including French Canada, New York, the Mississippi Valley, and the southeastern United States. Branches in Augusta, Charleston, and Mobile demonstrated robust demand in the Antebellum South. Nevertheless, the Civil War caused severe disruption to this market, leading to the closure of Haviland Brothers & Co.
Subsequently, David Haviland partnered with his sons Charles Edward and Theodore to form Haviland and Company. Charles oversaw daily management in France while Theodore managed exports to the US until 1879 when he returned to France. The brothers ended their business association in 1891; Charles maintained Haviland & Co., whereas Theodore launched Theodore Haviland, Limoges in 1893. These two companies competed until Charles’s death in 1921; Haviland & Co. ceased operations a decade later in 1931. In 1941, William Haviland—Theodore’s son—reacquired the Haviland & Company name and revived production following World War II.
Leadership has since passed down through generations to William Haviland (grandson) and Theodore Haviland II (great-grandson).
Present Day
Currently known as Haviland Company, the firm has updated its manufacturing facilities and broadened its product line to include silverware, crystal, and gift items alongside its classic porcelain collections.
Porcelain
[[File:Lincoln White House service set 1861 - Smithsonian Museum of Natural History - 2012-05-15.jpg|thumb|Pieces of the 1861 Lincoln "solferino" china] Numerous vintage pieces produced by Haviland remain highly sought after by collectors. It is estimated that as many as 60,000 porcelain patterns were created; however, precise figures are difficult to confirm due to incomplete factory archives and many designs lacking formal names. Collectors often rely on various cataloguing methods such as the Schleiger numbering system for identification.
Schleiger Cataloguing System
Originating in the 1930s through the efforts of Arlene Schleiger, this classification method documents approximately 4,000 pieces of Haviland porcelain, compiled into a series of six volumes.
Significant Creations
Among the distinguished items is the 1861 solferino hard-paste china set, specially commissioned for President Abraham Lincoln’s White House during his administration.
Bibliography
- Detweiler, Susan G., American Presidential China, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, D.C., 1975