About Haviland Dishes

History

• In 1839, a gentleman in the retail china business in New York by the name of David Haviland chanced upon a broken china cup that caught his interest. With the knowledge that he already possessed, David was able to trace the china to France. While searching through France he discovered the city of Limoges, where this particular china was made from the pure white kaolin clay. The Chinese also use kaolin clay in manufacturing their fine china and pottery.

Background

• David Haviland wished to export china from Limoges, but ran into difficulties in dealing with the French designers and manufacturers. Taking his own initiative, he moved to Limoges and established his own plant with American designers and started his line of fine china. David's son, Theodore, continued on in the family business and in 1890 built a factory in Limoges that introduced new machinery in firing and decorating fine china. The Havilands are credited with introducing the procedure of chromo lithographic decorations on porcelain, which was adopted worldwide by china manufacturers.

Progress

• In 1936 David's grandson, William D. Haviland, started the American side of the business with fine dinnerware. After the end of World War II, the Haviland Company was under the management of William's son, Theodore Haviland II. David's great-grandson modernized the Limoges factory once again with new decorating processes. Intricate patterns distinguished Haviland china and brought about world famous recognition. In 1961, Haviland introduced a line of giftware in addition to their now world-famous dinnerware. In 1972, the Haviland family retired from management of the Haviland China companies. The Haviland Company has undergone several ownership changes in the ensuing years.

Identification

• Over 30,000 variations and patterns of Haviland dinnerware and giftware exist, making it difficult to identify pieces. There are four major brands, which include Haviland & Co. Limoges (H&Co.); Theodore Haviland, in both New York and France; Charles Field Haviland (CFH); and the inexpensive line of Johann Haviland, another grandson of David Haviland, who started his own company in Bavaria. The Bavarian Johann Haviland Company was only in business from 1907 to 1924.