Porcelain

   Porcelain, or faience, production became a successful luxury industry during the 18th century. In 1705, the Dutchman Cornelis Mombaers founded a manufactory that blossomed under the direction of his son Philippe, who managed production from 1724 to 1754. The firm remained in business until 1832. In 1751, Jacques Artoisnet established a competing operation. The Monplaisir works at Schaerbeek, begun by Jean-Sebastien Vaume and named for the chateau where production took place, became famous but enjoyed only a brief existence (1786-1790), forced to close due to competition and high production costs. In 1818, Frédéric Faber founded a factory in Ixelles that achieved much success and which continued under ownership by the Cappelle-mans brothers (1849-1870). In 1833, Christophe Windisch established a firm also in Ixelles that remained in operation until 1953, when Henry Demeuldre, whose family had acquired it in 1869, ceased production.

   A decline in the trade set in during the late 1860s but a revival began at the turn of the 20th century with new operations, such as those of Gallo, Glineur, Helman, Rigoli, and Sigismondi, several of which remain in business.

   Porcelain produced in Brussels is characteristically white or colored with a pronounced enamel glaze and features, most notably, bowls and vessels in the form of animals and plants.