Reawaken "Grecque" - When Tradition Shapes the Future
A Collection with a Story
For more than 275 years, FÜRSTENBERG Porcelain Manufactory has been creating collections for the beautifully set table. Some reflect the spirit of their time, while others help shape it. But only a few achieve something that goes far beyond that: they remain relevant for generations. "Grecque" is one of these exceptional collections.
Created nearly 190 years ago as a coffee and tea service, "Grecque" has since been expanded, refined, and reinterpreted time and again. Yet it has never lost its identity. Its story is not only about porcelain, but also about how our understanding of good design has changed - and, at times, remained remarkably constant.
So when you hold a cup or plate from the "Grecque" collection today, you are also holding a piece of design history. A story that began long before our time and continues to be written today.
The Birth of "Grecque"
The origins of "Grecque" date back to the period between 1840 and 1850. The shape was developed during the Biedermeier era - a time of profound social change.
Following the political upheavals and the Napoleonic Wars, many people longed for stability. Home became increasingly central to everyday life. It was where people gathered to eat, celebrate, read, and make music. The dining table became a place for family life and an expression of hospitality and quality of life.
This shift was also reflected in design. Rather than opulent displays, the focus turned to clean forms, balanced proportions, and craftsmanship. Objects were no longer meant to impress through extravagance, but through their design, function, and longevity.
It was against this backdrop that FÜRSTENBERG first developed "Grecque" as a coffee and tea service. Its faceted shape combines elegance with restraint and still feels remarkably modern today. Rather than demanding attention, its appeal lies in its balanced proportions and refined details.
Why Good Design Comes Back
This could have been the end of the story for "Grecque." But it wasn't. In 1913, FÜRSTENBERG revisited the historic coffee and tea service and expanded it into a complete dinnerware collection. A few years later, master modeler Heinrich Franzl carefully refined the collection, giving it the distinctive character it has retained to this day. This was more than simply a reissue. What began as a coffee and tea service evolved into a collection designed for the entire table. Its defining design elements were preserved, while "Grecque" was carefully developed to meet the needs of its time. It is precisely this balance between continuity and evolution that continues to define the collection today.
Reawaken "Grecque"
Nearly 190 years after it was first created, "Grecque" continues to write its story. Its signature shape remains, while new colors and finishes open up new ways to experience the collection.
"Grecque Vert Menthe" introduces a fresh new color to the collection. The soft green gives "Grecque" a new sense of lightness and brings out its faceted shape in a distinctive way.
The satin finish gives the "Grecque" classic an entirely new dimension. The matte surface transforms not only the look of the porcelain, but also the way it feels. Soft and almost velvety to the touch, it makes the tactile experience part of what makes each piece so special.
Today, "Grecque" reveals a new side of itself. What began nearly two centuries ago as a coffee and tea service and later evolved into a complete dinnerware collection continues to evolve today. Not by leaving its history behind, but by adding new facets to it. Because timeless design isn't about staying unchanged. It remains relevant because it can be reinterpreted again and again.
