Founded in Vienna in 1885 by Czech-born entrepreneur Friedrich Goldscheider, the Goldscheider Porcelain Manufactory quickly established itself as a powerhouse in European ceramics. Known for its finely crafted figurines, busts, and decorative objects, the company embraced the artistic movements of its time—Historicism, Orientalism, Art Nouveau, and eventually Art Deco—creating works that were both technically masterful and emotionally resonant.
Goldscheider’s pieces, produced in terracotta, faience, bronze, and alabaster, became renowned for their expressive human forms, graceful lines, and theatrical flair. The company’s international breakthrough came early: in 1889, it was awarded a Bronze Medal at the Exposition Universelle in Paris, solidifying its reputation across Europe and beyond.
After Friedrich’s death in 1897, his sons Walter and Marcell expanded the family legacy, opening branches in Paris, Florence, and Leipzig. Under their direction, Goldscheider fully embraced the Art Deco style, producing elegant figurines that celebrated modern femininity, movement, and mythological beauty. These works became icons of their era—and remain highly sought-after by collectors today.
But the family’s success was upended in 1938, when the Nazi regime’s Aryanization policies forced the Goldscheiders to flee Austria. Walter resettled in England and later the United States, continuing the ceramic tradition abroad. He returned to Vienna in 1950, but financial pressures proved insurmountable. In 1953, the brand was sold to German company Carstens, marking the end of the original manufactory.
Still, the Goldscheider name lived on. In 1987, Walter’s grandson revived the family tradition with a new ceramics studio in Stoob, Austria. Though smaller in scale, it carried forward the same commitment to beauty and craftsmanship.
Today, Goldscheider pieces stand as enduring symbols of design innovation, cultural history, and artistic resilience. From the salons of fin-de-siècle Vienna to the shelves of modern collectors, they continue to captivate—with a story as rich as the porcelain itself.
