Glass and Ceramic in Portugal: From Tradition to modernity

Clay and glass are two of the materials with which Portugal has always worked and are an expression of the Portuguese creative vein. Manufacturing goods with clay has existed since Prehistoric times, hence, the History and customs of Portugal can be told through the study of these materials. Ceramic, porcelain and glass are used both for household utensils as for decorative pieces made with a great sense of humour and imagination. Always faithful to tradition, the great Portuguese manufacturers have developed techniques to improve the quality of their products and modernise their designs. Increasingly, national brands preserve the classic and develop their models. For those visiting Lisbon and want to take home a souvenir, check out our recommendations:

The large Portuguese brands that still exist today, were able to maintain themselves afloat independently of the changes in fashion and demand that have occurred in the past decades. The classic brands focused on the most exclusive products, with more elegant designs, as is the case with the world-famous Vista Alegre. The more "rustic" pieces that began their production focused on the popular masses, use not only the art of working clay, but also the art of making people laugh, as is the case with the Bordallo Pinheiro Factory.

The best Portuguese brands:

The classic pieces:

The classic pieces are those made thinking of elegance and exclusivity. Portuguese art  was under theinfluence of the Asian culture during the early decades of trade with China and India. The Orient was fashionable throughout the whole of Western Europe. The Portuguese faience was not immune to these influences. The national ceramics began to be designed with Chinese motifs by the mid-seventeenth century, easily identified by the cobalt blue drawn figures. Portuguese rich noble houses invested in various items with these designs. This was a very prosperous time for ceramic companies in Portugal. One of the most popular ornaments is the dish of "aranhões" (see picture). This exclusive piece with both a household use and a decorative one, continues to be created by some Portuguese companies. However, the best Portuguese manufacturers are increasingly investing in a contemporary design, more practical, and of a higher quality.


Vista Alegre:

The best known Portuguese brand was born in 1824. During the reconstruction of Lisbon after the earthquake of 1755, the glass industries began to have a lot of success. With the growth of the glass industries, particularly the factories at Marinha Grande, José Pereira Pinto Basto created, in the nineteenth century, a porcelain, glass and chemical processes factory called Vista Alegre. Since its beginning, Vista Alegre produces elegant and exclusive pieces, some just for collectors. With nearly 200 years of history, Vista Alegre today invests in modernising their products, in originality and contemporary designs. However, Vista Alegre maintains the manufacture of its classic lines with references to the History of Portugal, most notably, the historic relations with China, as seen in the collection "blue canton”. The most impressive shop of Vista Alegre is in the Largo do Chiado. It is worth a visit to see, firsthand, the spectacular designs and the admirable growth of this brand that is so obviously Portuguese.

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SPAL:

This is one of the most recent brands in the manufacture of porcelain objects. SPAL stands out for its innovative design and for the high quality of its pieces. SPAL was founded in Alcobaça in 1965 and has always created pieces for domestic use and for Hotels. Production techniques are the most advanced in the market, using the best technology for the manufacture of beautiful porcelain objects. Only in 1994 did SPAL open its first store to the public. With a simple design and modern products SPAL is a great success, justifying the existence of about 12 stores across the country.

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The rustic pieces:

Caldas da Rainha is a land rich in clay. Here is where the most rustic works of Portuguese faience are designed and made. Both household tools and decorative objects are manufactured, but what stands out the most are the pieces designed with popular humour. Since the turn of the XIXth to the XXth century, the factories in the Caldas da Rainha area have been specialising in porcelain caricatures. Initially these figures represented professions such as priests or fishermen in a contemptuous and sarcastic way. Currently, the professions represented are politicians or Portuguese celebrities, but the most famous figure is still “Zé Povinho”, which portrays the "typical" Portuguese man.


Bordallo Pinheiro:

The Raphael Bordallo Pinheiro Factory was founded in 1884 in order to revitalise the traditional arts of pottery and clay. Bordallo Pinheiro stood out for the originality and creativity of its works, as it used humour and caricature to characterise the Portuguese culture. Raphael was invited to design pieces for the Caldas da Rainha Faience Factory before creating his own. From vases and dishes to decorative items, Bordallo Pinheiro created some objects that have remained part of the Portuguese artefacts culture, most importantly the swallows he drew and the “Zé Povinho” figure.

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Without any individual shop, you may find Bordallo Pinheiro products in the following stores:

Glass:

The first factory that is established in Marinha Grande is the Royal Glass Factory in 1748. But, only during the reconstruction of Lisbon after the earthquake that destroyed part of the city in 1755 did the glass companies start to have a great success. The glass industry has experienced many periods of stagnation, but several factories have been able to keep up their centuries long tradition. Marinha Grande is one of the areas where glass continues to be a historical matrix. The glass models being produced today are increasingly innovative and modern. The best known brand is Crystal Atlantis.


Cristal Atlantis:

Founded in 1944, Cristal Atlantis has always been devoted to the art of working glass. Today it continues to maintain certain stages of production manual. With this method, Cristal Atlantis preserves the tradition, quality and originality of its products. The articles produced are diverse, including ornaments for the dinner table to those intended for decoration. The pieces are simple both in colour or in white. In 2001, Cristal Atlantis and Vista Alegre joined, fortifying the image of both brands. Cristal Atlantis continues to invest in modern design and innovation by improving the quality of their products and of the leaded glass with which it works. Besides being a contemporary brand without abandoning their classic models, the Cristal Atlantis has always had the loyalty of the Portuguese.

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Depósito da Marinha Grande

In 1769, the Marquis of Pombal gave Guilherme Stephens this factory that produced glass. Since that year the Royal Factory continues to produce manual blown glass. However, throughout the years, the most recent and advanced techniques have been introduced to several stages of production to keep bettering these manually made decorative and household products.

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Fábrica Jasmim

Inspired by the flower that gives it its name, this factory is based on the softness and delicacy of Jasmines to make products of great elegance and quality. Since 1996, Jasmim is concerned with the environment, using the latest technologies in the market to make glass with brightness and clarity in both their contemporary and classic models.

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