History’s first
prominent Haviland was Peter de Havilant, a Norman who fought with William
the Conqueror at the Battle of Hastings in 1066.
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He was given, in reward for his service, the seal
with three towers (see left) that is still the Haviland family
mark today. |
The Haviland family emigrated to North America in 1650,
where they prospered.
1838 found the young David Haviland with a pottery
and china importing business in New York.
According to family tradition, a charming old lady
came into David Haviland's New York shop one day in 1838 with a broken
saucer, seeking a replacement. He became fascinated by its delicacy and
shape.
Fascination became driving passion for the young Haviland
in 1842, when he crossed the Atlantic to set up his own porcelain factory
in Limoges - one of the first Americans to leave his native land and seek
his fortune in Europe!
David Haviland's company quickly came to dominate the
American fine tableware market. His company has won every major prize
available to the ceramics makers.
Haviland Limoges has provided the state dining
service for several American presidents, including the Lincoln and Theodore
Roosevelt administrations.
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above:
David Haviland, circa 1845. |
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Letters preserved from the mid-seventeen hundreds
mention that the soil on the estate of one Doctor Darnet at Saint-Yrieix-La-Perche,
in the Limoges region, contained large deposits of a fine, white clay.
(The doctor's wife used it as a detergent!)
In 1768 this clay was recognized as kaolin, the raw
material essential in the manufacture of porcelain and described by many
as "white gold."
In 1771 a pair of wealthy industrialists, the Grellet
brothers, financed the conversion of an old pottery in Limoges to the
manufacture of porcelain. Limoges china, famous today the world over,
was born!
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