Founded 11 January 1747 | ||
 | ||
Founder Charles I, Duke of Brunswick-Wolfenbüttel Profiles | ||
The Fürstenberg China Factory (German: Porzellanmanufaktur Fürstenberg) was founded on 11 January 1747 in Fürstenberg an der Weser by Johann Georg von Langen at the direction of Duke Charles I of Brunswick-Wolfenbüttel and is the second oldest porcelain manufacturer in Germany that still operates on its original site. From 1888, the operation was turned into a public limited company (Aktiengesellschaft). In 1966, the firm became a limited liability company (GmbH) with its parent company, Braunschweig GmbH, and therefore a 100 per cent subsidiary of NORD/LB. Its current managing director is Stephanie Saalfeld.
Museum
The Weser Renaissance castle, high above the River Weser, goes back to a medieval fort from the 13th century (first mentioned around 1355), and was converted into a hunting lodge around 1600 by Duke Henry Julius of Brunswick-Wolfenbüttel. Until 1972, china was produced in the castle itself; now manufacture is carried out in the adjacent, modern buildings. Today, the castle houses the firm's museum and gives an overview of production from its beginnings during the rococo period to the present day. Other notable collections of Fürstenberg china may be seen in the North German museums at Brunswick, Schwerin, and Wolfenbüttel, as well as in Weimar.