Herend "Apponyi Green" Review | A "Lifetime" Luxury Tableware

Introduction

For those looking for high-quality tableware.

・I want luxury tableware that will last a lifetime
・I am looking for dishes that look great when guests visit
・I am curious about Herend's popular series
・I want to choose Western tableware with asset value
・I want to make my daily life a little more luxurious

In the midst of a busy day, a tea time to take a breather.

What makes that time even richer is your favorite cup.

Herend's "Apponyi Green," which I also own.

Apponyi Green is one of Herend's representative popular series.

With its elegant green pattern and the sense of luxury unique to hand-painting, it is loved by collectors all over the world.

When I actually used it, I felt it was not just "tableware," but "dishes that increase the satisfaction of life."

This cup, where vivid green, delicate gold gilding, and the warmth of a craftsman's hand-painting coexist, continues to fascinate enthusiasts around the world.

Even when guests visit, I am often told, "That's a beautiful cup," which makes me happy.

3 Points of the Charm of Apponyi Green

1. The trigger for its birth was a "rush order."

The history of Apponyi Green dates back to the 1860s.

It began when a famous Hungarian politician, Count Apponyi was going to hold a sudden dinner party and requested Herend to "prepare a new tableware set immediately."

At that time, Herend had a top-class series called "Indian Flower," which was extremely detailed and luxurious.

However, there was not enough time to create it from scratch.

Therefore, the painters at the time placed a single rose, the main motif of "Indian Flower," in the center and arranged the surrounding decorations simply to deliver it.

Although this design was born to cope with an emergency, the Count highly praised this "simplified beauty."

While maintaining the prestige of the "Indian Flower" pattern, its light and modern atmosphere, which makes effective use of white space, quickly became popular among the aristocrats of the time.

This was the moment of birth for the "Apponyi" series, a bestseller that continues to this day.

2. The luxury of "hand-painting" by artisans

The greatest feature of Herend is that it still maintains a tradition of completely hand-painted work through a division of labor.

The delicate lines of the Apponyi Green and the shading of each individual leaf are not printed (transferred).

Artisans called "painters," who have undergone rigorous training, breathe life directly into the white porcelain using fine brushes.

Even with the same "Apponyi Green," there are subtle differences in how the flowers open and the balance of the leaves depending on the artisan who painted it. That is proof that it is a "one-of-a-kind cup in the world."

If you look closely, there is a slight thickness and layering of color in every brushstroke, which creates a depth and sense of vitality that machines cannot replicate.

The special feeling of owning a "one-of-a-kind" item fulfills the joy of possession.

3. Versatility that works for both Japanese and Western styles

There are many colors in the Apponyi series, but among them, "Green" is a special presence.

This vivid and deep green color symbolizes the rich nature of Hungary, the home of Herend, and it has become the "face" of the brand as the color that makes the contrast with the gold gilding shine most beautifully.

The deep green that stands out against the white porcelain goes surprisingly well not only with Western sweets but also with Japanese confections.

It is perfect for scenes where you want to sit up a little straighter, such as during the New Year or when hosting guests.

[I have written about this in more detail on this blog, so please take a look if you like]