Don’t even think of collecting Haviland China unless you’ve found a particular pattern that you really like. Why? Because there are from 30,000 to 60,000 patterns! The reason for this is rooted in its history.

History

In 1839, David Haviland of New York City, a retail china dealer, was importing and selling British china to New York’s prominent families. His business was growing and his customers loved him and their beautiful china. However, it wasn’t from these sales that he led the way to change the entire china industry and to have a profound effect on the china Americans used in their homes.

A man came into his shop with a broken cup that he wanted to replace. The cup was so exquisite that he knew he was handling an entirely different thing from the china he had been importing from England. He knew right away that it was from France, but he was curious about what part of France it had come from. What French potteries were creating this wondrous china? Although he was quite knowledgeable about china and its production, he couldn’t answer these questions.

He couldn’t put the cup out of his mind and decided that he had to go to France to find out who was making such excellent china. The trip in those days was long—several weeks. Even so, he went. His search was not easy, but he persevered. It was in the city of Limoge that he got his answers and was able to match the cup. It was the pure white clay called kaolin found in that region that accounted for the quality of the china. He returned home with every intention of importing the china being made there for his New York customers.

It turned out to be a good news/bad news result. The French manufacturers had very limited output and their tastes did not necessarily meet the demands of David’s American customers.

Pursuing the Dream

Not to be defeated so easily, David decided to move to Limoge and build his own factory to produce china for the American market. Well, this upstart American wasn’t exactly welcomed with open arms. However, even with all the difficulties, the company was established and in 1842 the first shipment to the United States was achieved to great acclaim. It was very popular in America.

David’s son, Theodore, followed in his father’s steps as did Theodore’s son, William D. Haviland, who brought his operation to America, beginning the production of
American-made Haviland. After World War II, the son of William, great-grandson of the original David, modernized the factory in Limoge.

Collecting Haviland China

It’s an interesting story, but it complicates the collection of Haviland dinnerware. My family inherited a set made in Limoge and sold in a department store in Iowa in the 1920s. We have been able to find replacements for broken pieces and to add to the collection. The cups made in that period of time were papershell—delicate and beautifully semi-opaque. Because they are so fragile, they are the pieces that are usually missing and cost the most to replace. However, we have found them. We don’t use them for every day but do break them out for special occasions.

If you wish to collect, I recommend finding a pattern that you covet and begin to build it. Many antique dealers can accommodate your needs. Owning a set of Haviland china from Limoge is very satisfying.

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