HISTORY OF FÜRSTENBERG

With more than 275 years of experience in porcelain craftsmanship and a passion for making the seemingly impossible possible, FÜRSTENBERG today enjoys an international reputation for contemporary dining culture and interior design.

MODERN COMPANY WITH A LONG TRADITION

Since 1747 the name FÜRSTENBERG has stood for unique craftsmanship and exclusive manufacturer’s porcelain. Over the course of time, renowned designers, modellers and porcelain painters have shaped the history of the manufactory founded by Duke Carl I. of Brunswick-Wolfenbuettel.

In Fürstenberg, porcelain has been created since 1747, which always reflects the time in which it was created: the spirit, the attitude to life and the aesthetics as well as the craftsmanship and technical possibilities. Whether tableware series, gift items or individual designer pieces – every porcelain from FÜRSTENBERG has all the qualities it needs to become a classic.

The picture shows one of the oldest drawing of the manufactory: castle and Porzellanmanufaktur FÜRSTENBERG about 1760, painted by Pascha Johann Weitsch, a plate of Duke Carl I. of Brunswick-Wolfenbuettel set.

1747
On 11 January 1747, Duke Charles I ordered the creation of the porcelain manufactory in Fürstenberg. FÜRSTENBERG was the second porcelain manufactory to be founded in the German-speaking world which is still producing porcelain today.
For the first time, mankind succeeded in porcelain series production. In 1753, the Duke ordered that in the future all porcelain items should be marked with a blue “F”, which is still the trademark of the manufactory today. The ALT FÜRSTENBERG range is still produced today in its original Rococo style. The elegant, playful details on the handles are typical of that time.

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1750
1780
Vases of the FÜRSTENBERG brand were real bestsellers in the second half of the 18th century. In addition to KPM, FÜRSTENBERG was the only manufacturer allowed to have a sales outlet in Berlin. DUKE FERDINAND is a typical neoclassical service range with its basic cylindrical-oval shape and angular handles.

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Inspired by the trends of fine arts in Paris, Frenchman Louis Victor Gerverot created the EMPIRE design in his role as manufactory manager. The exterior of this range shows a clear link to classic antique designs, a characteristic of the Empire style.
1805
1840
An extensive range of collectors’ cups became bestsellers as the expression of social interaction in a small select group. In 1859, the Duke’s manufactory was leased to private individuals and was finally converted into a public limited company in 1888. The romantic GRECQUE design was created around this time.

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With the ARIANA series, FÜRSTENBERG, for the first time, introduced a service series where tableware, coffee and tea sets were of uniform design. The demand for “FÜRSTENBERG art” grew; the result was the founding of an external painting facility in Dresden in 1906.
1904
1934
During the 1930s, the porcelain manufactory was one of the few bespoke production companies which implemented a radical change in design towards objective functionality. WAGENFELD is a Bauhaus range which remains an important component of the FÜRSTENBERG collection today.

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In the fifties, porcelain manufacture boomed. The form FÜRSTIN with its clear lines and its form‘s focus on function and design satisfied the accumulated need for high-quality tableware.
1952
2000
FÜRSTENBERG won the tender for the official guest gift at EXPO 2000. The national representatives from all the participating nations received one of a limited edition of 250 EXPO bowls, and left their hand prints in porcelain on the “Wall of Fame” which is now on show in the museum in the castle.
Cooperation with sieger design started in 2005. Based upon the joint life style brand SIEGER by FÜRSTENBERG, the form MY CHINA! was born which captivates withthe extremely thin bisque and the multitude of application and combination options.

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2005
2007
To celebrate its 260th anniversary, FÜRSTENBERG completely redesigned the FÜRSTIN service created in 1952 and relaunched it as VICTORIA LUISE, with finely coordinated shapes and dimensions.
The CARLO range with its contemporary quality design was created in collaboration with Italian designer Carlo Dal Bianco. The range is available in a wide range of décor versions which combine classic and modern elements.

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2009
2010
For the first time, it was possible to revive a special technique of glazing, so-called “crystal glazing”. Every SOLTAIRE item is a non-reproducible one-off in which “crystals” are formed in an unforeseeable combination.

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In 2011, FÜRSTENBERG’s new corporate design was decorated with the much-coveted quality seal RedDot Communication Design, an award at the 13th Corporate Design Prize and with the iF communication design award 2012 – Gold.

The BLANC gourmet range received the “iFproduct design award 2012”. It was developed in collaboration with designer Mikaela Dörfel and Michelin-starred chefs Nils Henkel, Sven Elverfeld and Tim Raue.

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2011
2012
The innovative TOUCHÉ series of twin-walled mugs received the much-coveted RedDot Design Award in 2012: Product Design. The mug series has a very special feel and lightness.

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FÜRSTENBERG honoured as „Brand of the Century“. The Deutsche Standards Editionen publishing house celebrated the official launch of the brand compendium special edition, “Brands of the Century – Beacons in the Ocean of Brands”, with a big brand gala at the Adlon Berlin. Selected companies – including the porcelain manufacturer FÜRSTENBERG – were honoured with the “Brand Award” at the same time.
2012
2013
This extraordinary form AURÉOLE, which FÜRSTENBERG created in close collaboration with Korean ceramicist Kap-Sun Hwang, is a sublime design apparently effortlessly merging ancient Asian porcelain traditions and the modern work of the European craftsman.

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The AURÉOLE design by Kap-Sun Hwang launched in 2013 received the Red Dot “honourable mention” in 2014.
2014
2016
In a world that turns faster and faster, we yearn for a bit of permanence and cutting back to the essentials. With this in mind, Porzellanmanufaktur FÜRSTENBERG and the Vienna-based design studio EOOS have developed OMNIA tableware, which, with its four pieces, can calmly face any culinary eventuality. Awarded with the reddot 2016.
The fascinating collection Fluen was developed in collaboration with Swiss designer Alfredo Häberli. It combines deeply rooted traditions with a contemporary innovative spirit.

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Awarded with the German Design Award 2018:
2017
2018
In its latest design co-operation, FÜRSTENBERG proves that porcelain is about more than sophisticated dining. The porcelain manufacturer developed the pleated effect PLISAGO side table, which is made entirely of high-quality manufactured porcelain, together with Studio Besau-Marguerre.

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The PLISAGO table was awarded with the German Design Award 2019 in Gold in the category furniture.
2019
2022
Porzellanmanufaktur FÜRSTENBERG is celebrating its 275th anniversary.Today, FÜRSTENBERG is Germany’s second-oldest porcelain manufactory and with its trademark of the crowned blue “F” is known internationally to stand for discerning porcelain art “Made in Germany”. In its anniversary year, the manufactory presents new porcelain series such as the contemporary and exceptionally functional DATUM collection, which was created in collaboration with Foster + Partners.