Herend Roses

Herend roses are one of the most complex ornamental elements of Herend fine china products. How are they made? What do they symbolise? Read more to find out!

Iris Turquoise teapot – Part of the Iris Turquoise tea set.

There are motifs and objects that never lose their significance and charm. Such as the rose which represents beauty, love, elegance, caressing and the desire for life, and such are the graceful masterpieces of herend Porcelain Manufactory ornamented with that motif. With their décors, traditional and modern at the same time, these porcelain wares preserve the values of the past while embodying the spectacular , future emerging innovations of contemporary masters.

Vieux Herend (VH Fishnet) Tea Pot Miniature Light Green Fish Scale.

Herend Manufactory’s history reaching back to nearly 200 years. They have always used the most fashionable ornamental motifs of that time which, their masters preserved and also improved in a unique manner.

Herend Apponyi Blue (AB) tea set with rose handle on the sugar basin.

A symbol of beauty and grace, the rose is one of the most favourite motifs of Herend masters who use an incredibly wide variety of this motif on Herends finest porcelains. Below we share some of the tricks of trade with our readers.

Herend Christmas coffee pot with gilded rose handle.

How are Herend’s roses made?

The technology of painting has practically remained unchanged since the early days of the Manufactory. Paint is applied to the surface of the porcelain with brushes made of animal hair and with steel nib pens.

Each of these phases of porcelain-making requires the highest level of craftsmanship and excellent manual skills.

Teapots with gilded rose handle – Herend porcelain

Porcelain painters receive the various colours they use in the forms of powder, which they mix turpentine and thick oil (a waxy oil that remains after the evaporation of turpentine) in various proportions for each phase of painting. Porcelain paint is pulverised colour ceramic glass which has to be fired after painting. During the firing the paint melts into the glaze surface. A variety of some ten different temperatures is used for the firing of porcelain objects.

Vienna Rose Gold creamer with rose knob.

The Herend Porcelain Manufactory has always worked with excellent masters of the highest levels of craftsmanship, with their signature style and sense of beauty also recognisable in the unique roses of various types.

Vienna Rose Gold sugar basin with rose knob.

Herend’s roses are made from so-called flower paste, a paste with increased plasticity. The petals of the flowers are formed by tapping with oiled fingerprints, then they fit together.

They are made small and larger pieces as well. Some are used as knobs, others are decorative elements beside tableware.

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