Why did you decide to produce porcelain products in your life? What does inspire you?

I’ve always been fond of porcelain; it’s not like wood that might rot after a period of time or as stiff as resin. Porcelain is the best interpretation of the Chinese philosophy - the harmony between Human and Heaven. Porcelain has a sense of culture within; it’s also like a gem which can be kept for thousands of years if you don’t break it on purpose.

Who does help you in designing your porcelain goods?

Our designers and sculptors are top students who majored in art design or sculpting. Take the designers for example, they have spent decades on sculpting and designing, their artworks are now being recognized by the international market and has won numerous awards such as the “Seal of Excellence for Handicrafts”  - UNESCO.

We also have international designers, for example American designer – Gigi Santiago, German designer Ute Patel-Missfeldt etc. Moreover, we have collaborated with numerous museums and artists that we interpreted the masterpieces into porcelain artworks, for example, Van Gogh museum, Philadelphia Museum of Art, National Palace Museum, Lanvin, Disney etc.

Collectors and fans of your porcelain are looking forward to the new collections. How often do you present the new collections?

In general, we will come out with new artworks every season and themed collections based on special holidays.

How is the production stage working?

Franz Collection utilizes the material to carry the “Great Way”. Our artwork intends to interpret the perfection among Heaven, Earth and Mankind and deliver the eternal values of love for the three entities. 

We use under glaze technique that can preserve colors for thousands of years. By applying the world patent “mold casting technique for undercut”, we create art pieces with exquisite relief and sculptures in three-dimensions and hand-painting to show rich and dreamy colors. Each art piece is fired at 1205℃ and goes through more than a hundred manufacturing steps before completion. Besides, to save energy and reduce the emission of CO², we use a new formula to lower the firing temperature to 1205℃, striving to do no harm to the earth in the manufacturing procedures.

Can the collectors and the amateurs visit your factory to see the production process?

Yes, we are open for tours at our headquarters in Taipei, Taiwan or factory in Jingdezhen, China. During the tour you can have the chance to take a look at the designing, sculpting, 3D printing etc. before a piece of artwork is finished and also the showroom that has an amazing collection of our artworks. We hope to let the visitors experience the messages we would like to convey through close interaction during the tour.

How long does it take to develop a design sketch and the final finished product?

It varies according to different sketches; designers would draw them according to each theme. It takes around six months to finish a piece of artwork and of course it depends on the complexity.

What is your favorite collection and why?

We are all about pursuing the endless beauty and I believe only when one’s heart is being touched then beauty itself will become eternal. The one that touches me the most is the “Papillon Butterfly” collection. It represents transformation and is also the pride of Taiwan.

Does FRANZ produce individual items on the request?

We can customize pieces, for example, firing the logo or desired message on the piece or wooden base. I would also like to share a story with you:

In 2003, we got an email from an old man in England; he said his wife likes to collect butterfly decorations. He saw the “Papillon Butterfly” collection at a gift shop and he thought the silhouette and color fully captured the beauty of the butterfly. Unfortunately, his days are numbered due to cancer. He wanted to leave something for his family so they can commemorate him for the love he has for them. Thus, he wrote a letter to our headquarters hoping that we can fire the message that he has for his family on the plate so as to pass down for generations. This story has a great impact on us, not only were we touched by the old man’s love for his family and the recognition for our artwork but the power that a gift can have to cross time and space.

And, we have also customized a piece which was inspired by a painting by Giuseppe Castiglione for the former president of China –Mr.  Hu Jintao that he presented to the former president of the United States – Mr. Obama during the 2009 G20 summit.

In your opinion, is the porcelain market changing over the past 50 years and why do you think so?

The porcelain market has changed rapidly.  For thousands of years the porcelain industry has dominated the world market, but after the Industrial Revolution the royalties started to get involved in porcelain production. Nowadays, the younger generation is stimulated by the internet which makes it even harder for them to appreciate fine art pieces. The porcelain market has shrunk, whoever can be more creative, attract and guide the younger generation to appreciate them, moreover to bring art into our daily lives will be the winner.

Of course, we are very interested as well to get to know you more. What kind of education did you get?

I studied at a boarding school in Chiayi City then I came to Taipei to study. I graduated from the department of German from Fu Jen Catholic University, since then I began a different phase of my life. I even became the owner of a music restaurant called “Idea House”; it was my first cultural creative experiment.

What do you like besides your work?

Besides work, I like to play music. I started playing music in junior high school since my three brothers all played the guitar, so I followed their lead.  The popularity of Western music began while I was in high school, I would play the guitar when the classmates sang. I then started playing in a band when I was in college. Music can change one’s mood and seek for inspiration, sometimes when I feel frustrated at work I would play the guitar to clear my thoughts.  It’s a kind of brain exercise that helps to broaden your thinking and boost your creativity.

How often do you travel?

I travel approximately 25 times every year, I would participate exhibtions in Paris and Frankfurt to observe the current trends of the market. And, I would travel to emerging markets such as Israel, Singapore and India to seek for opportunities. Mostly, I travel back and forth between China and Taiwan to run the business.

How can you describe yourself in three words?

I love life, am eager to learn and like interacting with people – the practice of the philosophy of “Ren” (benevolence).

What can you wish BREGNER Luxury & Lifestyle customers?

I am more than happy to join BREGNER Luxury & Lifestyle! I hope Franz Collection can serve the customers who love luxury goods and integrate art into their everyday life.

We would be very happy to meet you in Berlin. We wish you and your team a lot of success!