Fragile History – The Habsburg Family and Herend

The Habsburg dynasty played an important role in the almost 200-year history of the Herend Porcelain Manufactory. Emperor and King Franz Joseph I ordered several sets from the factory. One was for his wife, Queen Elizabeth, for the Royal Palace of Gödöllő, with a Chinese-style motif, which has since been known as the Gödöllő pattern. In the first third of the 1870s, the Emperor also commissioned a monogrammed porcelain service of about 4000 pieces for the Royal Palace in Buda, which was later probably seen by the young heir to the throne, Otto von Habsburg, at his father’s coronation. The Emperor’s contentment is proven by the fact that in 1872 he granted the Manufactory the title of Supplier to the Imperial-Royal Court.

The connection between the Habsburg family and Herend was renewed after the forced break of the decades of exile: Otto von Habsburg, who found a home in Germany, received several gifts of Herend porcelain. After the regime change, he finally visited the porcelain workshops in person and celebrated his 95th birthday here with his family.

This exhibition presents the life of Otto von Habsburg by highlighting the links that connect him and his family with the Herend Porcelain Manufactory.

You can find our report on the event HERE.