Villeroy & Boch Pottery Marks

From a small pottery workshop in France in the mid-18th Century to several locations in Germany and Luxembourg, Villeroy & Boch is an ongoing success story.

Villeroy & Boch History

Founded in 1748 by François Boch and his three sons in Audun-le-Tiche, Lorraine, Villeroy & Boch began as a small pottery workshop. In 1836, the company merged with Nicolas Villeroy’s successful stoneware business, forming one of the first global enterprises of the 19th century. Headquartered in Mettlach, Germany, Villeroy & Boch has evolved over the centuries, expanding its product range from ceramic tableware to include bathroom fixtures and tiles. In 2023, the company celebrated its 275th anniversary, marking a long-standing tradition of quality and innovation in ceramics.

Locations of Villeroy & Boch potteries, in Germany and France

Villeroy & Boch Pottery Marks

1860s

Very early mark, in use before the Mercury stamp. Here on a Flow Blue item, this marks main focus is on the pattern name, with the initials “V” and “B” underneath.

1860s

1874 to 1909 | Mettlach, Wallerfangen

This blue-inked pottery mark can be found often. It features Mercury on top of the company name, with the location either “Mettlach” or “Wallerfangen”, one of their factories beneath Mettlach, underneath.

1874 – 1909

1874 to 1909 | Dresden

In 1856, Eugen von Boch sets up an earthenware factory in Dresden, Saxony, to serve more European markets. This Mercury mark is mainly found on crockery and stoneware tiles.

1874 – 1909

1883 to 1912 | On Majolica

Imprinted mark found on Majolica. In 1883, Villeroy & Boch bought the “Steingut- und Majolikafabrik Uechtritz & Faist” in Schramberg and continued their production of Art Nouveau Majolica items. In 1912, V&B sold the company to Moritz and Leopold Meyer.

1891 – 1912

Until 1900

Incised mark featuring the Benedictine abbey at Mettlach, the main factory location since 1809. Usually with some form of copyright remark, like “Geschützt”, “copyrighted”.

Until 1900

From 1913 to 1947

Used from 1913 until 1947, encircled “V&B” above “M” above “Made in Germany” and “Saar”, here on a “Burgenland” item.

1913 – 1947

After 1955 to 1960s

Simplified Mercury mark, used into the 1960s

After 1955

From 1970 to 1990s

Wordmark used from the 1970s on. “W. Germany” as part of the mark was only used until 1990, after that, it was “Made in Germany”.

1970s to 1990s

From 1970 to 1990s

Parallel to the wordmark started to be in use from the 70s on (see above), the Mercury mark in modernised form was still used for some china production lines, especially also those produced in Septfontaines, Luxembourg.

1970s – 1990s

From 1971

Mark used on “Die Kugel”, designed by Helen von Boch, and other special editions.

From 1971

From 1990 to today

Wordmark used with “Made in Germany”, or without location.

From 1990

*still in research

These marks are not yet dated.

tbd