The Herend Story

Bering’s is honored to be a Herend Premier Retailer – Number 4 in the United States.Hungarian-made Herend is what some refer to as “white gold” as it is certainly the highest quality fine earthenware for some of the most beautiful fine china settings and serving pieces. From the Queen Victoria pattern, to their trademark fishnet pattern the line is easy to recognize due to its timeless beauty.

You might have also seen or be familiar with these adorable figurines in a friend’s home, or better yet, you might have your own collection. Either way, thinking they are sweet to collect or look at is the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the lustrous world of Herend.

Each and every piece is delicately handcrafted with intricate brush strokes to achieve the end product we have come to grow and love.

Herend says it best, “Brush your fingers along Herend’s smooth white porcelain body and hand painted designs, and sense the passion of great sculptors, master painters and visionary designers imbued in every piece they lovingly craft.” It is true; they are pieces of art meant to be given as a special gift, collected or passed down from generation to generation.

Herend’s rich history dates back to 1826, where it was originally founded to produce earthenware in the small Hungarian village for which it was named. In 1839 a major turning point occurred when Mor Fischer became the new owner. Taking Herend in an entirely new direction, visionary Fischer carved out the unique niche of producing dinnerware replacement pieces for Europe’s royal families to complement their existing porcelain patterns.

Early success was found when Fischer and the manufactory’s artists began designing dinnerware patterns of their own. Queen Victoria’s 1851 purchase of a large set for Windsor Castle was a milestone. Her purchase more than paved the way as the “gold standard” in formal place settings for aristocrats throughout Europe.

You might be asking how it was that Herend made such a splash in America. In 1853 its medal-winning entry carved out a piece of the American pie. Where was the award given you ask? It was what we now refer to as the World’s Fair, held at the time in New York City. It was also around this time that the little figurines that are oh-so Herend were originally created. …And a few years later that their trademark fishnet pattern introduced.

“Fishnet” is the term when applied to figurines, and “fish scale” for dinnerware.

While Herend was indeed originally revealed in the U.S. at the 1853 World’s Fair, Herend was formally brought to the U.S. marketplace in 1957 by Robert and Lois Grimm. The Grimm’s were owners of a high-end dinnerware and home accessory store in the Georgetown section of Washington, D.C. Today the Grimms’ daughter, Dianne Murphy, and her daughter, Kimberley Kimball, are the proprietors of Martin’s Herend, which distributes Herend to more than 400 fine retail stores nationwide. These carefully handpicked retailers are the only authorized sources of genuine Herend porcelain in the U.S.

From Herend’s Rothschild Bird or Chinese Bouquet (featured above), to a hand painted Herend bunny or baby booty- Bering’s continues to be your Premier Herend Retailer. We encourage you to keep Herend in mind for your fine china, wedding registry, newborn gifts as well as any special occasion from an anniversary to a job promotion. Herend china and figurines are timeless and make beautiful heirlooms to pass down from generation-to-generation.