Early 20th century large Haviland & Co Limoges porcelain chocolate / tea pot. Tall with scalloped base and upper edge, ribbon shaped handle, hand painted with springs of pink roses and gilded details.

"David Haviland, a trader, created an import company of ceramics and porcelain in 1838 in New York. In 1840 he made his first trip to France to establish an alliance with a manufacturer who could create pieces of porcelain for the American trade. He settled in Limoges in 1842, where he founded his own company and manufacturing facility, and began exporting wares directly to his brothers who remained in New York. Their new company was called Haviland Brothers & Company. There were numerous china manufacturers in Limoges, but the Haviland Company was the first to have artists on site to do the decorating. By 1853 they were the largest importer of French porcelain into the United States. The effects of the Civil War were so pronounced that Haviland Brothers & Co. had to close its doors. David Haviland saw this as an opportunity to go into business for himself and rebranded as Haviland and Company. After the Civil War, David sent his son, Théodore, to the U.S. to handle distribution and marketing. Production dramatically increased and another son, Charles Edward Haviland, took over management of the firm from his father. Many talented artists were engaged and soon the lithograph or transfer technique of decoration was developed. White House china sets were designed for Presidents Lincoln, Grant, Hayes and Harrison. But the Victorian housewife was the primary customer with a wide variety of patterns to choose. The company continued to be managed by the two brothers with Charles Edward largely in control and managing the day-to-day operations and Theodore in America until 1879 when Theodore moved back to France. Both brothers in one location proved to be too much for either and they decided to dissolve their partnership in 1891. Théodore Haviland left the company to start his own in 1893 and was a very innovative marketer. The two companies competed bitterly until Charles Edward's death in 1921, with the company folding in 1931. Because of the approaching hostilities in Europe, Théodore moved his company to the United States in 1936, where it operated until 1957. The patterns of both companies were gathered and bought in 1941 by William Haviland who retired in 1972. The Haviland company has since been overseen by grandson William Haviland, and great-grandson Theodore Haviland II. Haviland & Co. is still operating as Haviland Company, though the facilities are now modernized and now sell silverware, crystal, and giftware in addition to porcelain." (Source: Haviland / Haviland Collectors / Wikipedia)