Antique Haviland & Co. Limoges 106 Piece Amstel Schleiger 497a Dinner Service China

A large and impressive antique 106 piece set of Limoges porcelain dinnerware produced by Haviland & Company in The Amstel pattern (aka Schleiger, number 497A), for the Jones, McDuffie and Stratton Company. Pattern features double lined gilt edges and a pink rose garland border, with one spray spilling down the side of each piece. Service for 8-10.

Set Includes: 7 Teacups, 1 Butter Dish (3 Part), 8 Bone Dishes, 1 Footed Gravy Boat, 1 Lidded Footed Relish Dish (no spoon), 1 Small Oval Serving Plate, 8 Saucers, 1 Berry Bowl, 12 Custard Dishes, 11 Bread Plates, 11 Soup Bowls, 9 Dessert Plates, 8 Salad Plates, 1 Oval Lidded Serving Dish and Underplate, 1 Round Lidded Serving Dish, 2 Rectangular Serving Dishes, 1 Small Oval Serving Platter; 1 Quatrefoil Serving Dish; 10 Dinner Plates, 1 Oval Lidded Tureen (no ladle), 1 Large Oval Meat Platter, 1 Medium Oval Meat Platter, 1 Medium Oval Serving Platter

“David Haviland, a trader, created an import company of ceramics and porcelain in 1838 in New York. In 1840 he made his first trip to France to establish an alliance with a manufacturer who could create pieces of porcelain for the American trade. He settled in Limoges in 1842, where he founded his own company and manufacturing facility, and began exporting wares directly to his brothers who remained in New York. Their new company was called Haviland Brothers & Company. There were numerous China manufacturers in Limoges, but the Haviland Company was the first to have artists on site to do the decorating. By 1853 they were the largest importer of French porcelain into the United States. The effects of the Civil War were so pronounced that Haviland Brothers & Co. had to close its doors. David Haviland saw this as an opportunity to go into business for himself and rebranded as Haviland and Company. After the Civil War, David sent his son, Théodore, to the U.S. to handle distribution and marketing. Production dramatically increased and another son, Charles Edward Haviland, took over management of the firm from his father. Many talented artists were engaged and soon the lithograph or transfer technique of decoration was developed. White House China sets were designed for Presidents Lincoln, Grant, Hayes and Harrison. But the Victorian housewife was the primary customer with a wide variety of patterns to choose. The company continued to be managed by the two brothers with Charles Edward largely in control and managing the day-to-day operations and Theodore in America until 1879 when Theodore moved back to France. Both brothers in one location proved to be too much for either and they decided to dissolve their partnership in 1891. Théodore Haviland left the company to start his own in 1893 and was a very innovative marketer. The two companies competed bitterly until Charles Edward’s death in 1921, with the company folding in 1931. Because of the approaching hostilities in Europe, Théodore moved his company to the United States in 1936, where it operated until 1957. The patterns of both companies were gathered and bought in 1941 by William Haviland who retired in 1972. The Haviland company has since been overseen by grandson William Haviland, and great-grandson Theodore Haviland II. Haviland & Co. is still operating as Haviland Company, though the facilities are now modernized and now sell silverware, crystal, and giftware in addition to porcelain.” (Source: Haviland / Haviland Collectors / Wikipedia)

“Jones, McDuffie (McDuffee) & Stratton Company – This Boston company was founded in 1810 by Otis Norcross on Fish Street on the waterfront. In 1827 Otis’ son, also named Otis, took over the business: the company, still operating under the Norcross name was run by him until he retired from the business to become Mayor of Boston in 1866. In 1853 Jerome Jones began to work for Norcross, Louis McDuffee, who was born in Quebec, joined in 1863 and Soloman Stratton, a Bostonian, joined and replaced Norcross in 1866. The firm became ‘Jones, McDuffee and Stratton’ in 1871. The company did a thriving business with Wedgwood, not only producing Americana but importing a great deal of Wedgwood and products from other factories, which produced pottery, porcelain, and bone China as well as glass. They were the largest wholesaler and retailer of China and glassware in the United States by 1910. By 1975, Jones, McDuffee and Stratton had become a subsidiary of Food Service Equipment & Design Corporation, of Boston.” (Source: Alexis Antiques)

Dimensions:
Largest Piece (Meat Platter) – 20.25″ x 14.5″ x 2.25″ / Smallest Piece (Bone Dish) – 3.125″ (Width x Depth x Height)