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Vista Alegre
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Vista Alegre
Over its long history, the Vista Alegre brand, which has always been intimately associated with Portuguese history and culture, has achieved unparalleled recognition and visibility. Public recognition, perceived quality and the company’s investment in innovation and design have turned Vista Alegre into one of the very few Portuguese luxury brands to achieve iconic status on a worldwide level. Vista Alegre produces porcelain tableware, decorative pieces, giftware, hotelware, high quality glass and crystal, and 18/10 stainless steel cutlery. In addition to using state-of-the-art production techniques, the porcelain factory also employs 17 hand painters, who are responsible for decorating the pieces produced. By offering products in a wide variety of styles, from classical to contemporary, the brand appeals to a wide range of consumers.
Founded in 1824, the Vista Alegre Porcelain Factory was the first industrial unit dedicated to producing porcelain in Portugal. The persistence of its founder, José Ferreira Pinto Basto, was determining to the launching and success of this daring enterprise. A landowner, audacious merchant and distinguished figure in Portuguese society at the time, José Ferreira Pinto Basto wisely adopted the liberal ideas of the 19th century, having become “the first example of free initiative” in Portugal. On 1 July 1824, a Royal Licence issued by King João VI granted José Ferreira Pinto Basto authorisation to build the Vista Alegre Porcelain Factory. A mere five years later, Vista Alegre gained the title of Royal Factory in recognition of its artistry and industrial success. The factory started by producing glassware and soapstone pottery, since the composition of porcelain clay was still unknown. The factory produced high-quality glassware, particularly pieces with relief decorations, engraved patterns and ornate borders, as well as delicately engraved medallions. In 1880, Vista Alegre ceased its glassware production to focus exclusively on porcelain. In order to overcome difficulties related to porcelain production, Augusto Ferreira Pinto Basto, the founder’s son, visited the Sèvres Porcelain Factory in France, where he studied the composition of porcelain clay and acquired knowledge that would be crucial to the discovery of large kaolin deposits to the North of Ílhavo, in 1832.
Between 1947 and 1968, increased exports, installation of new equipment, increased focus on training of specialised technicians and cooperation with European peers led to a marked technical development, which allowed the company to expand its business to new markets. In May 2001, a merger between the Vista Alegre Group and the Atlantis Group brought glassware and crystal back to the company and resulted in the largest tableware group in Portugal and the sixth largest group in the world within this sector, the Vista Alegre Group (VAA Group).
Vista Alegre also produces made-to-order, personalized pieces, in an effort to increase its competitiveness. These features, allied to an indisputable quality, have placed Vista Alegre sets on the tables of some of the world’s most relevant figures, including Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, His Majesty King Juan Carlos of Spain and Her Majesty Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands, as well as at the White House, the Presidential House of Brazil, the Presidential House of the Portuguese Republic and countless embassies and institutions, both public and private, all over the world. Preferred by a wide and demanding public, Vista Alegre is recognized as a high-quality porcelain manufacturer by countless specialists and was awarded the Excellence Status by prestigious organization Superbrands in 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2013.