Schramberg

The Schramberg tableware factory, officially known as Schramberger Majolikafabrik (SMF) , has a rich and eventful history that began in 1820. It was founded by Isidor Faist at Schramberg Castle in the Black Forest. Initially called Faist'sche Steingutfabrik , the company grew rapidly thanks to the region's abundance of raw materials, water power, and cheap labor.

In 1883, the factory was taken over by Villeroy & Boch , which produced majolica and earthenware. Later, in 1912, the factory came into the hands of the Jewish brothers Moritz and Leopold Meyer , who introduced the “SMF” brand. Under their leadership, the company flourished, thanks in part to collaborations with artists such as the Hungarian designer Eva Zeisel , who created iconic designs in the 1930s.

Unfortunately, the Meyers had to flee in 1938 because of the rising Nazi regime. After the war, Peter Meyer, Moritz's son, returned and managed the factory until his death in 1980. SMF finally closed its doors for good in 1989.

The factory is known for its colorful majolica, hand-painted decorations and recognizable styles such as Bernau , Balkan , Mandarin and Hanoi .