A magnificent antique Herend tureen decorated in Fleurs des Indes, or Flowers of the Indies—the beautiful predecessor to Herend’s celebrated Apponyi, or Chinese Bouquet, pattern.

Painted in luminous blue and white, this exceptional tureen features delicately hand-painted floral motifs set against a finely molded basketweave body, with charming applied blue roses adorning the handles and a beautifully modeled lemon finial crowning the lid. The sculptural form and intricate decoration make this an especially striking example of early Herend porcelain.

This elegant serving vessel features their classic Indian Flower Basket pattern. Hand-painted underglaze blue floral bouquets against a brilliant white porcelain ground, enhanced by a delicate basketweave (Ozier) molded relief border with charming applied blue roses adorning the handles. The lid is surmounted by a distinctive finial modeled as a sliced lemon, while the handles are exquisitely adorned with applied three-dimensional porcelain roses and leafy stems.

Historical style details

• A little history: This is a beautiful piece of Herend history—and a particularly wonderful example of the pattern that came before one of the manufactory’s most enduring designs. Fleurs des Indes was one of Herend’s early and important floral designs, dating to the 1860s. Its composition of delicate flowers and curling foliage within a stylized basket motif would later inspire the Apponyi design. A Herend service decorated in this pattern was selected for the 1867 reception at the Élysée Palace in Paris honoring Emperor Franz Joseph during the Paris World Exhibition. Decades later, Count Albert Apponyi commissioned Herend to enlarge the principal floral motif, giving rise to the pattern now known as Apponyi or Chinese Bouquet.

A signature luxury element of Herend tureens is the use of three-dimensional, hand-formed porcelain elements. This piece has beautifully sculpted, rustic branch handles accented with vining, applied porcelain roses painted in monochromatic blue tones on both the sides and the lid finial.

Circa 1880–1910

The underside shows the incised "HEREND" factory stamp alongside a hand-painted cobalt blue hallmark, confirming its authentic Hungarian heritage.

• Please note: some of the delicate roses show signs of age and slight damage.