sztućce Hefra

History

For 180 years tableware HEFRA made by the same technology decorate the tables of connoisseurs. Hand polished wares are decoration for elegant table and they are perfect gift for the loved ones, who appreciate elaborate style. Paying attention to the smallest details ponders to tastes of the most demanding lovers of tableware. "Factory of the silver and gold plated tableware of Józef Fraget's located at Elektoralna Street 753 recommends itself with the silver ware known for a few years for its quality, permanence and exceptionality, distinguished by good taste, beauty, and greatness of shapes and affordable price..."

That is how in 1846 Józef Fraget's Factory of tableware advertised itself in the press - one of the two known Polish factories. Company has been then on the Polish market for 20 years. It was established in 1824 by entrepreneur Alfons Fraget who came from France. Three years later management board was joined by his brother – Józef, who created the powerful company. From the small factory producing dishes and table ware Fraget's factory became valued supplier of the refined silver ware and silver and gold plated vessels for the many European estates. At present the most beautiful collections of Fraget's wares can be admired in Moscow and St. Petersburg museums, and in Poland in the National Museum and in collection of Royal Castle (Zamek Królewski). Besides Fraget's factory, on the Polish market in XIX century there were other silver ware companies also dynamically developing. One of them was partnership established in 1856 by Juliusz Józef Henneberg (old master of turnery at Fraget's factory), which 12 years later took the name "Brothers Henneberg" (Bracia Henneberg) .

Its products – cutlery, silver ware and craftwork received many prizes at the world's exhibitions and were exported to many markets, i.e. markets of Russian Empire. But it was the Fraget's company which for over many years as the only manufacturer from Polish territories participated and was awarded at the most important world's exhibitions. In 1887, one of the papers informed that "at the exhibition, one of the Warsaw factories prepares silver ware set, which includes statue of Jan III Sobieski on the horse...and low relief of Prince Józef Poniatowski". In Paris, Fraget won the gold medal, even though the competitors were strong, it was called by the jury as "M. Fraget de Varsovie, moins particulariste et qui garde quelche chose de la clairte francaise" which means that Mr. Fraget from Warsaw holds French quality to create clearly".

Fame of the Fraget's silver ware reached Constantinople, where since 1887 the company store was running and supplied sultan himself. At the end of the XIX century Fraget opened its branches in Tbilisi, Lvov, St. Petersburg, Odessa, Kiev, and Vilnius.

After the I World War both companies went into prosperity again creating a web of distribution in new countries: Romania, Bulgaria, Persia, Greece, and also in China. In Poland, Ministry, the biggest hotels, and casinos were their most important clients. Fraget's silver ware were even on the maiden voyage of Batory from Gdynia to America.

In 1961 from the merger of the two well recognized companies - Józef Fraget's factory and Henneberg Brothers partnership - Warsaw Silver Ware Factory HEFRA S.A. was created, which prospers until today. HEFRA continues the best tradition of the merger producing items made out of silver as well as the best stainless steel. For nearly 200 years they are the pride of the most noble Polish tables. Thanks to its functionality and elegance they turn out to be suitable for everyday use yet their elaborate style and uncommon form allows them to also match the family gathering tables. Our most prestigious clients are: President of the Republic of Poland's Office and the Primate of Poland's Office. HEFRA's tableware is also used by exclusive hotels and restaurants. Their beauty and quality was appreciated many times during the Poznań International Fair, where HEFRA's tableware won two gold and five silver medals.