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Haviland Limoges, A History of Elegance

Filed under: Decor

Haviland Limoges, a maker of fine porcelain is a nominee for a Luxist Award for best dishware.

The Haviland Limoges story began in 1842 when David Haviland, enthralled with the fine china coming from Limoges, France moved across the Atlantic to begin his own factory. Haviland was an importer working in New York. A customer brought in a broken tea cup looking for a match. Haviland's search for a match eventually led him to Limoges. The pure white kaolin clay found in the region produced a uniquely delicate eggshell porcelain. Not content to import the designs of others he set up his own operation. Unlike other dishware factories in the area Haviland China did not send its products to Paris for decoration. Instead Haviland set up a studio in his factory in order to create patterns that would appeal to American shoppers.

Along his sons Charles-Edward and Théodore, David Haviland grew the company and Haviland Limoges provided the state dining service for several American presidents including Abraham Lincoln, Rutherford B. Hayes and Theodore Roosevelt. The work of Impressionist artists also influenced Haviland's floral designs which went on to become wildly popular in the United States.

Today the company also sells silver, crystal and giftware but remains famous for its dishes. It is estimated that there are as many as 60,000 Haviland china patterns. Haviland Limoges produces some older designs as well as coming out with new collections to appeal to both modern clients and traditionalists. For over a century Haviland china has remained a standard for elegant tables.

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Tags: china, decor-awards, dishware, france, Gallery-76147, haviland limoges, HavilandLimoges, limoges, nominee, porcelain

Lalique, Fine French Artistry

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Decor

French company Lalique has been nominated for a Luxist Award in the category of glassware. The name Lalique has become synonymous with exquisite naturalistic glass designs. Rene Lalique was a French glass designer who founded the firm which continues today. Lalique began work as a goldsmith but later moved into glassware. He designed jewelry for Cartier, Boucheron and others before founding his own firm in 1885.

Known as the sculptor of light, he became one of France's foremost Art Nouveau and Art Deco designers. One of his major clients was François Coty, who commissioned Lalique to design perfume bottles. The Bacchantes vase, designed by Lalique in 1927 remains one of the most popular designs.

Today vintage Lalique remains highly collectible, often attaining high prices at auction. Lalique paperweights, vases and objets d'art are prized gifts and hold places of honor in many homes. Lalique also creates quality glass for other luxury brands including creating decanters for the rarer expressions of The Macallan and perfume bottles for designers like Tom Ford.

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Gallery: More from Lalique

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Tags: decor-awards, Gallery-75761, lalique, nominee, nominees

Pickard China, Celebrating American Tradition

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Decor

Pickard China, an American classic, has been nominated for a Luxist Award in the category of best dishware.

The story of the Pickard China company began in 1893 when Wilder Pickard established the company in Edgerton, Wisconsin. Later the company moved to Chicago. It specialized in hand-painted art pieces and tea sets. Artists from the Art Institute of Chicago and all over Europe came to Chicago to decorate unique ceramic pieces which are now prized among collectors.

Wilder's son, Austin Pickard, moved the company to its present Antioch, Illinois location in 1930 and introduced the white china with the lion trademark that the company is known for today. Pieces are still made in the Pickard factory in Antioch. Each piece passes through a minimum of 21 stages and three inspections. Patterns are decorated with 24K gold, pure platinum and brilliant cobalt. In 1977, Pickard, Incorporated was selected by the U.S. State Department to manufacture the official china service used by our embassies and other diplomatic missions around the world. Pickard has also been commissioned to produce custom china for Air Force One, Blair House and Camp David and has produced china services for the King of Saudi Arabia, Hilton, Sheraton, and Marriott hotels, General Motors, the U.S. Air Force and the Queen of England.

Continuing to evolve with today's tastes, Pickard makes four modern designs created by star decorator Kelly Wearstler. The Kelly Wearstler for Pickard collection boasts a mélange of styles and patterns ranging from organic to graphic, traditional to modern and delicate to bold. Pickard also produces for patterns for designer and home decor author Charlotte Moss. The company also offers custom china and monogrammed pieces, carrying on a proud American tradition of fine dishware.

Tags: charlotte moss, CharlotteMoss, china, decor-awards, decor-main, dishware, kelly wearstler, KellyWearstler, nominee, nominees, pickard china, PickardChina