13 November 2008 – 9 March 2009

Porcelain by Herend

Founded in 1839, the Hungarian firm Herend was one of the last major porcelain producers to be established in Europe. The first decades of the company’s history coincide with a resurgence of nationalism that from 1867 resulted in greater autonomy for Hungary within the Austro-Hungarian Empire. In this context, Herend porcelain became a flagship article of Hungary’s new industrial production and an emblem of the nation’s assertion of identity. Herend became specialised in recreating pieces for antique tableware services (in China, Vienna or Sèvres porcelain), with a level of expertise that was acclaimed in the majority of the universal exhibitions of the time. Even though each successive era saw Herend attempt to modernise its creations by calling upon the talents of contemporary artists, the firm remained in effect a prisoner of its own skill at imitation, as even today the greatest – and the most popular – part of its production is comprised of exclusively hand-painted decorations derived from vintage models.

Address

Musée Ariana
Avenue de la Paix 10
1202 Genève
phone +41 22 418 54 50
http://www.ville-ge.ch/mah/

Opening Hours

Daily 10 a.m. - 5 p.m., closed on
Tuesday.

Description of the Museum

The Ariana Museum contains prestigious collections of ceramics and glass of the City of Geneva. It is the only museum in Switzerland, and among the most important in Europe, devoted entirely to kilncraft.

Within 10 days
starting exhibitions
ending exhibitions