Villeroy & Boch represents the highest quality of German porcelain and has become a definite symbol of eternal elegance. The iconic manufacturer combines the traditional with the modern, with items ranging from fine cutlery to dinnerware and kitchen accessories.
It all started in 1748, in the Duchy of Lorraine when Francois Boch and his three sons founded a small pottery workshop with a goal to create kitchen utensils for the middle class.
Today, the brand’s utensils and kitchen appliances are the embodiment of the best European customs, combining exceptional tasteful design with German meticulousness. In the past, Villeroy & Boch vessels have been used by imperial families and are invariably present at the tables of the pope and numerous great royal families today.
A great example of the brand’s exquisite pieces would be this ‘Drageoir au Cygne’, a limited edition that is a replica of the toilet set made in 1884 by Julius Hofmann for Villeroy and Boch in Mettlach for Ludwig II, King of Bavaria.
"Drageoir au Cygne" by Villeroy & Boch "Drageoir au Cygne" by Villeroy & Boch
What Determines The Quality of Villeroy & Boch Porcelain?
High quality porcelain requires the finest, best raw materials and Villeroy & Boch is highly diligent in selecting the ingredients of their porcelain mix. They are usually clay, kaolin, quartz, and feldspar. The company uses the most modern production processes as well as the most competent employees they can find.
Another example of the German brand’s great craftsmanship would be this ‘Boîtier à la Couronne’ which is porcelain painted, enameled and gilded. This limited edition is also a replica of the toilet set made in 1884 by Julius Hofmann for Villeroy and Boch in Mettlach, for Ludwig II, King of Bavaria.
"Boîtier à la Couronne" by Villeroy & Boch "Boîtier à la Couronne" by Villeroy & Boch
Starting 1767, the factory began mass producing porcelain that was mainly used for cutlery with a simple design yet a quality that surpassed most other manufacturers in the field.
The Merger of Villeroy & Boch
The talented stoneware manufacturer Nicolas Villeroy and the Boch factory were operating around the same time and in 1836, Jean-François Boch initiated the merger of the two tycoons to unitedly form a new company - Villeroy & Boch that led to one of the first global players of the nineteenth century. Gradually, the company came out as a leading European porcelain company and certainly became a top conglomerate.
Villeroy & Boch’s Decorative Porcelain Plates and Vases
In the 19th century, the trend of hand-painted porcelain plates used as wall decoration began to take place and such plates started to be considered high works of art. Villeroy & Boch's factories produced incredibly attractive porcelain plates, with up to half a meter in diameter which were highly successful.
During the same time, the company began to manufacture highly decorative vases with unusual ornaments and handles painted in colors such as royal blue, ocher, mint, and red.
Another representation of the brand’s superb work would be this limited edition porcelain painted, enameled and gilded ‘Broc au Blasons’. It is also a replica of the toilet set made in 1884 by Julius Hofmann for Villeroy & Boch in Mettlach, for Ludwig II, King of Bavaria.
‘Broc au Blasons’ by Villeroy & Boch ‘Broc au Blasons’ by Villeroy & Boch
Collections and Hallmark
After achieving exclusivity in the creation of porcelain products, Villeroy & Boch began to apply a hallmark on their pieces - one that serves as an authentication of quality and identifies the owner of the item. Over time, the outlines of the insignia and the cities have changed but the basic letters V&B have remained the same.
The modern tableware from Villeroy & Boch has hundreds of collections including La Classica, White Pearl, Cellini, Amazonia, Animals of the World, Quinsai Garden.
The efforts and resources invested each year in the company's innovative developments have led to incredible achievements as their porcelain works conquer new levels.
In 2004, Villeroy & Boch received the world's first award for innovation in the German economy which was awarded to the collection ‘NewWave Cup’, granted for outstanding design and production technology.
