Pickard China
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Porcelain manufacturing and decoration |
| Founded | 1893 |
| Founder | Wilder Austin Pickard |
| Headquarters | Antioch, Illinois , United States |
| Products | Ceramic tableware, artistic ware, fine china dinnerware, decorative items, collectible products |
Pickard China is a U.S.-based manufacturer and decorator of porcelain, located in Antioch, Illinois. Established in 1893 by Wilder Austin Pickard, the company continues to produce ceramic tableware and artistic ware.
History
The company was originally incorporated in Edgerton, Wisconsin, in 1893. Founded by Wilder Austin Pickard (1857–1939) in 1894, it began by offering hand-painted gift items, art pieces, and dinnerware. In 1897, the firm moved to Chicago and operated as Pickard China Studio, focusing on hand-decorated tea and dessert sets.
Pickard assembled a team of talented china painters, many of whom were European immigrants and graduates of the Art Institute of Chicago, to create a unique American hand-painted china style. Initially, the business decorated imported European porcelain blanks internally. With Austin Pickard's involvement, domestic production of blank plates and dishes was introduced. The first experimental china pieces were crafted in 1930 alongside the development of proprietary glaze formulas. By 1937, a manufacturing plant was established in Antioch, Illinois.
Henry A. "Pete" Pickard, son of Austin and representing the third generation, led as president from 1966 until 1994. He was followed by his brother-in-law Eben C. Morgan II, who remained president until 2008. The current fourth generation includes Richard E. Morgan and Andrew Pickard Morgan.
Pickard, Inc. continues as a family-run enterprise, concentrating on premium china dinnerware, decorative items, and collectible products.
Official sets
In 1977, the U.S. Department of State selected Pickard to produce the official china service used by American embassies and diplomatic posts globally. This collection is distinguished by an embossed gold border featuring stars and stripes along with the Great Seal of the United States. Additionally, Pickard has crafted exclusive fine china for heads of state, corporations, and hotel chains such as the King of Saudi Arabia, Hilton Hotels, Sheraton Hotels and Resorts, Marriott Corporation, General Motors, the U.S. Air Force, New York’s Gracie Mansion, the United Nations, Air Force One, Blair House, and Camp David.
The Obama State China service consisting of 3,520 pieces was introduced on April 27, 2015.
Sources
- Reed, Alan B. (1995) Collector's Encyclopedia of Pickard China: With Additional Sections on All Chicago China Studios. Collector Books, Paducah, Kentucky.
- Platt, Dorothy Pickard. (1970) The Story of Pickard China. Everybodys Press, Inc.