CRAFTMANSHIP
For more than 275 years, Fürstenberg in southern Lower Saxony has been producing fine manufactory porcelain with passion and precision - perfection down to the last detail.
DEVOTION AND CARE
In a world that spins ever faster, there is more than ever a longing for things that are made with great dedication and special care. Things that come from a real manufactory where you meet people who do what they love and love what they do.
For more than 275 years, fine manufactory porcelain has been produced in Fürstenberg in southern Lower Saxony with passion and precision. Perfection down to the last detail is only possible because even today the majority of porcelain production is based on manual work. This is still the motto at FÜRSTENBERG: A cup goes through 100 hands. Because it is the small details that reveal genuine craftsmanship and give the porcelain from FÜRSTENBERG its special value:
Double-walled vessels whose wafer-thin inner and outer walls can be assembled by hand alone; decors that converge under the handle, or gold decorations that run overboard (e.g. a cup rim) and can only be painted by hand.
PERFECTION DOWN TO THE LAST DETAIL
In many cases a product consists of several parts, which are manufactured individually and then garnished together with a steady hand. For instance, a teapot is usually made up of five elements: the body, handle and spout for the pot, and the body and knob for the lid. In fact, the large Niedersachsenross (Lower Saxony Steed) consists of no fewer than 17 garnish elements.
FÜRSTENBERG’s extremely thin body also requires so-called firing aids, which prevent the product, e.g. a cup, from warping in the oven. These firing aids are made of the same porcelain as the object itself, as they have to shrink by the same factor during firing. Therefore, the supports cannot be reused after firing. Almost every product therefore needs its own firing aid, which can then no longer be used.
But even the plaster moulds into which the liquid porcelain is poured have a limited service life. Each one needs to be replaced after about 50 uses, because the surfaces that come into contact with the casting slip or rotating mass wear away.
Small things make perfection, but perfection is
no small thing.
INSIGHTS INTO THE PORZELLANMANUFAKTUR FÜRSTENBERG
Peter Sudermann pours liquid porcelain clay, known as slip, into plaster moulds.
The PLISAGO side table (designer: Studio Besau-Marguerre) is made entirely of porcelain, and requires the highest level of expertise in production.
Every single teapot is prepared by hand before glazing – here by Eugen Ochs.
The majority of porcelain production – as with the glazing seen here – is still done by hand. | Photo: Claudia Warneke
The Porzellanmanufaktur FÜRSTENBERG uses two modern shuttle kilns for firing the porcelain. | Photo: Claudia Warneke
Unfired plates can be stacked up to five high on an already fired plate, and then be fired (biscuit firing) as well. | Photo: Claudia Warneke
Setters are used to prevent an item such as the Niedersachsenross (Lower Saxony Steed) from warping in the furnace. | Photo: Claudia Warneke
The porcelain painters refine the manufactured porcelain with fine gold and platinum rim painting.
In the FÜRSTENBERG studio, model master Andreas Postler and his team develop new forms. | Photo Claudia Warneke
Porcelain with the crowned blue “F” is known internationally as sophisticated porcelain art with the “Made in Germany” quality seal. | Photo: Claudia Warneke
FÜRSTENBERG: LEARN MORE
MANUFACTORY | HISTORY
Since 1747, the FÜRSTENBERG brand has stood for unique craftsmanship and exclusive manufactory porcelain. Renowned designers, modelers and porcelain painters have shaped the history of the manufactory, which was founded by Duke Carl I of Brunswick-Wolfenbüttel.
THE FÜRSTENBERG BRAND
The FÜRSTENBERG porcelain manufactory sets new standards in porcelain production with its premium collections: designer objects of the highest quality for sophisticated tableware. The range extends from tableware series to gift items and individual designer pieces.
BUSINESS CUSTOMERS
When something special is required, then the high-quality products from FÜRSTENBERG come into play. In addition to exclusive design, functionality and craftsmanship, FÜRSTENBERG also offers the possibility of individualization - from your own logo to your own decor to a completely individual object.
FÜRSTENBERG: EXCELLENT PRODUCTS
This exclusivity, with which FÜRSTENBERG creates porcelain, has been honoured with numerous design awards:
PLISAGO | EXTRAVAGANT SIDE TABLE
Winner of the German Design Award 2019. Together with Studio Besau-Marguerre, the porcelain manufactory developed the side table in pleated look completely made of manufactory porcelain. The extravagant design brings the elegance.
DATUM | EXEPTIONAL FUNCIONALITY
Winner of the reddot Award 2023, the DATUM porcelain series combines exceptional functionality with contemporary flexibility. Plates, cups, bowls and mugs are interconnected in their dimensions and can be individually stacked and combined.
BLANC | HIGH END GASTRONOMY
Winner of the iF product design award 2012. Together with top chefs Sven Elverfeld, Nils Henkel and Tim Raue and designer Mikaela Dörfel, the porcelain manufactory developed the gourmet line BLANC, which exceeds the demands of the upscale kitchen.