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Polish deluxe silver-plated and sterling silver tableware
Polish deluxe silver-plated and sterling silver tableware
HEFRA – luxury brand with Polish soul<br />
The Fraget factory<br />
The company was founded in 1824 by Alphonse Fraget, an entrepreneur who came to Warsaw from France.<br />
A few years later, his brother Joseph (Józef) joined him and introduced to the factory the latest technologies and<br />
machines used in the plating industry so that it was nothing short of the world-best and most technologically-advanced<br />
factory operating in Paris at that time. The state-of-the-art Fraget factory almost instantly became<br />
a valued supplier of exquisite silverware for the wealthy elite, the aristocracy and the most influential people in<br />
Poland and abroad.<br />
Continuously introduced improvements and new methods of plating secured the Fraget factory a leading position<br />
among the most modern industrial plants of the then Warsaw. At the time of Józef Fraget’s death in 1867,<br />
the factory had 250 employees, 24 iron lathes, a modeling shop, a foundry, a drill and a carpentry workshop, mechanical<br />
scissors and fans, instead of more commonly used bellows, which were all operated by a steam engine<br />
with powerful boilers.<br />
Workers leaving the factory.<br />
19 th century.<br />
Fraget’s factory. 19 th century. Warsaw. Royal Castle, circa 1860.<br />
3
-<br />
Fraget + Henneberg = HEFRA<br />
After World War Two, the factories of Fraget and the Henneberg Brothers, having been largely destroyed and plundered<br />
after the war, were nationalized. Efforts were made to resurrect both companies, but to no avail. They were<br />
restored to their former glory only after, on 1 January 1965, the former Fraget merged with the former Henneberg<br />
Brothers. From the names of their founders, the name of the new brand HEFRA was coined, under which the<br />
company is known till today.<br />
The fame of Polish silverware came to flourish again in the grey days of communist Poland, which was perfectly<br />
reflected by the notoriously long queues in front of factory outlets in Jana Kazimierza Street and Ogrodowa Street in<br />
Warsaw. Unfortunately, the newly-won popularity of the brand came to an abrupt end during the economic slump<br />
only a decade later. In the wake of the crisis, only one factory in Warsaw survived. Luckily, the tradition of HEFRA<br />
founders once again helped the company to prevail. Nearly 200 years later, silverware still finds the appreciation of<br />
customers and the history of Fraget and Henneberg products continues to be written.<br />
Box with HEFRA cutlery set,<br />
1960s.<br />
Warszawska Fabryka Platerów HEFRA S.A., the Warsaw-based plating factory, is the only producer in Poland of<br />
exclusive cutlery and tableware made entirely from sterling silver of the best 925 purity, or plated with finest silver<br />
of 999 purity, as well as made from high-grade (18/10 chrome nickel) stainless steel.<br />
Fraget’s own-branded shop. 19 th century.<br />
4
1824<br />
1867<br />
The French entrepreneur<br />
Alphonse<br />
Fraget sets up his first<br />
silverware factory.<br />
Several years later,<br />
his brother, Joseph<br />
(Józef), joins the<br />
management of the<br />
company.<br />
Death of Józef Fraget.<br />
The Fraget factory is<br />
taken over by his son<br />
Julian, who maintains<br />
the high quality of<br />
production and employs<br />
highly-qualified<br />
Polish specialists and<br />
workers.<br />
1928<br />
The King of Afghanistan<br />
personally orders<br />
Fraget tableware for<br />
his court.<br />
1 st January 1965<br />
The former Fraget merges<br />
with the former<br />
Henneberg Brothers.<br />
From the names<br />
of their founders,<br />
the name of the new<br />
brand HEFRA<br />
is coined.<br />
1990s.<br />
In the wake of the<br />
crisis, the number<br />
of HEFRA factories<br />
is reduced to only one<br />
– Warszawska Fabryka<br />
Platerów HEFRA.<br />
1856<br />
1884.<br />
1936<br />
1980s.<br />
Today.<br />
One of the former<br />
employees of the<br />
Fraget brothers -<br />
Julius Joseph Henneberg<br />
– opens his own<br />
silverware business.<br />
The Fraget company<br />
starts to expand production<br />
of silverware<br />
of the 84 purity and<br />
creates new designs<br />
in cooperation with<br />
famous Polish artists.<br />
Fraget cutlery decorates<br />
the tables on the<br />
MS “Batory”,<br />
a Polish ocean-liner,<br />
during its maiden<br />
cruise from Gdynia<br />
to New York.<br />
Notoriously long<br />
queues of customers<br />
wanting to buy<br />
HEFRA silverware<br />
form in front<br />
of HEFRA shops in<br />
Jana Kazimierza Street<br />
and Ogrodowa Street<br />
in Warsaw.<br />
Nearly 200 years later,<br />
silverware still finds<br />
the appreciation<br />
of customers and the<br />
history of Fraget and<br />
Henneberg products<br />
continues to be written.<br />
5
How is our cutlery made?<br />
HEFRA cutlery is made of four kinds of material: high-grade stainless steel, M63 steel, MZN12 steel and sterling<br />
silver Ag925. The manufacturing process begins with the selection of the raw material in the form of large flat metal<br />
sheets, which are then cut on the guillotine - in accordance with our technology - into individual blanks and<br />
pre-moulded, so that they can then be pressed. At this stage the cutlery starts to take on a familiar shape. Tines are<br />
pieced out on forks and the bowls of spoons are formed to the required depth. Next, the ready-formed pieces are<br />
transferred to the grindery, where our employees fine-tune each detail manually.<br />
The surface is then brushed to make it perfectly smooth. This is done by using specially selected abrasive pastes<br />
and grinding brushes made of suitable cloth produced in the HEFRA factory. The next step is hand polishing in<br />
order to, in the case of silver-plated cutlery, prepare the surface for depositing the layer of silver. The pieces are<br />
then given a thorough cleaning in an ultrasonic cleaner. Next, the silver cutlery goes to the Assay Office to have<br />
the Ag925 quality hallmark struck on it whereas the cutlery to be plated with silver is coated with a galvanic layer<br />
of finest silver of 999 purity.<br />
After inspection by the Quality Control Department, the silver-plated products are polished in order to obtain<br />
a gloss and so are the silver products after marking in the Assay Office. Next, each piece undergoes the cleaning<br />
process again, so that it can later be transferred to the Quality Control Department. After the highest quality of<br />
the pieces has been confirmed, the products are transferred to the Finished Goods Warehouse, from where the<br />
cutlery is sent to the own-branded shops, individual customers, government institutions and companies, as well<br />
as the trading partners of the HEFRA brand.<br />
HEFRA, Aleksandra Design The cleaning process The manufacturing process in the pressing department<br />
6
Cutlery<br />
Some of our cutlery is available in sterling silver of the best 925 purity, as confirmed by the quality hallmark<br />
struck by an Assay Office. Apart from its esthetic value, silver cutlery also has antiseptic properties, which<br />
have been known since Antiquity.<br />
For instance, ancient Greeks are known to have covered their plates and drinking vessels with pure silver to<br />
prevent the spread of disease. Also, they used to place silver coins in their jugs with drinking water to keep<br />
it fresh longer. Interestingly, wealthy parents would also give their children silver spoons to suck on, which<br />
was meant to protect them from illnesses. This custom might have given rise to the well-known<br />
English phrase “to be born with a silver spoon in your mouth”.
Cutlery<br />
Wooden Cutlery Boxes<br />
• 24 pcs.<br />
• 48 pcs.<br />
In HEFRA’s offer, you will find a wide r<strong>ang</strong>e of cutlery to choose from. All HEFRA cutleries are<br />
handcrafted by our highly-skilled artisan workers with many years of experience in their trade.<br />
Before the final effect of perfect quality is achieved, each item passes through hands of our many<br />
best-qualified craftsmen.<br />
• 81 pcs.<br />
• 81 pcs.
Cutlery<br />
Duchy<br />
of Warsaw<br />
Simple and at the same time romantic.<br />
“Duchy of Warsaw” is one of the most<br />
classic designs of HEFRA cutlery.<br />
Its sleek and elegant form and high gloss<br />
were already greatly appreciated in the<br />
19th century when Warszawska Fabryka<br />
Platerów was only a small silverware manufacturing<br />
plant. For years, the Duchy of<br />
Warsaw design has remained unch<strong>ang</strong>ed:<br />
well-finished, timeless and grand.<br />
925 silver/gloss, 999 silver plated,<br />
60g/gloss.<br />
Romanesque<br />
Highly decorative, festive and exquisite.<br />
“Romanesque” is one of our most laborious<br />
designs in terms of manual design<br />
production, requiring high precision,<br />
focus and experience. In this design, sterling<br />
silver of the best 925 purity takes on<br />
a truly royal look, making the Romanesque<br />
design cutlery the main decoration<br />
of the dining table.<br />
925 silver/oxidized, 999 silver plated,<br />
60g/gloss, oxidized.<br />
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Cutlery<br />
Rhapsody<br />
A design for those who prefer more<br />
sophistication. For years, what has<br />
defined “Rhapsody” are a handle with<br />
a plant motif, a rounded shape, as well<br />
as a subtle and delicate finish. The<br />
Rhapsody design cutlery is perfect<br />
both for indoor and outdoor events.<br />
925 silver/oxidized, 999 silver plated,<br />
60g/gloss, oxidized.<br />
Romanesque<br />
Highly decorative, very solemn<br />
and opu- lent. The Romanesque<br />
model is one of the most<br />
laborious in terms of manual design<br />
production, requiring high<br />
precision, focus, and experience.<br />
Here, the highest hallmark silver<br />
takes on a truly royal look. That<br />
is why, this cutlery will constitute<br />
the main decoration of a<br />
dining table.<br />
925 silver/oxidized, 999 silver<br />
plated, 60g/gloss, oxidized.<br />
French<br />
Subtle and moderately decorative,<br />
with a handle topped with a palmette<br />
motif, “French” is the classic style<br />
designed by J. Fraget at the end of the<br />
19 th century.<br />
925 silver<br />
999 silver plated, 60g/gloss,<br />
stainless steel 18-10/gloss.<br />
13
Cutlery<br />
American<br />
With asymmetry and simplicity in<br />
reference to ART DÉCO, “American”<br />
features elongated handles decorated<br />
with a distinctive twig motif. This<br />
style originates from the atmosphere<br />
of an afternoon cocktail party and<br />
a low-key event.<br />
925 silver/oxidized,<br />
999 silver plated,<br />
60 g/gloss, oxidized.<br />
Aleksandra<br />
Nature creates the most beautiful<br />
forms. That is why “Aleksandra” is<br />
decorated with plant ornaments featuring<br />
floral motifs. The Aleksandra<br />
design cutlery features slender handles<br />
and a lanceolate shape. Delicate<br />
and at the same time very traditional,<br />
“Aleksandra” is perfect for any type<br />
of family event.<br />
925 silver/oxidized,<br />
999 silver plated,<br />
60 g/gloss, oxidized<br />
14
Cutlery<br />
Eastern<br />
Thanks to the rect<strong>ang</strong>ular handles,<br />
“Eastern” looks grand on every table.<br />
Featuring an interesting combination<br />
of geometric and plant designs, the<br />
Eastern design cutlery is entirely<br />
made from hand-polished sterling<br />
silver. A perfect companion during<br />
both elegant and low-key festivities.<br />
999 silver plated, 60g/gloss, oxidized,<br />
stainless steel 18-10/gloss.<br />
Venus<br />
Simple and elegant cutlery with<br />
a sleek line and a smooth surface.<br />
The perfectly balanced proportions<br />
refer to the bay leaf, popular in antiquity.<br />
Very comfortable to use, even<br />
on everyday basis.<br />
Stainless steel 18-10/gloss<br />
15
For Children<br />
Little Stork Birth Spoon<br />
A beautiful, traditional birth spoon with a stamped stork and a clock.<br />
It will be an amazing and a durable gift for each child and it will help celebrate<br />
the most important moments when the baby is born. Custom-made<br />
engravement is a capstone of this beautiful product.<br />
Silver 925/oxidized,<br />
silver plated/gloss or oxidized.<br />
16
For Children<br />
Set of children’s cutlery<br />
An idea for a child gift which is going to be not only timeless and pretty<br />
but also practical. There are three patterns to choose from: a dog, a cat and<br />
a mouse. They will work not only on a traditional birth spoon but also on<br />
pastry forks - which would be useful for eating the first birthday cakes.<br />
995 silver/gloss,<br />
silver plated 999/gloss<br />
17
Tableware<br />
Selected products from the offer<br />
Tableware, also known as table accessories, is like jewellery for the table. This simile perfectly captures the<br />
double function of tableware − apart from their obvious utility value, table accessories can also be used to<br />
create beautiful table settings and enhance stylish interiors.<br />
In our offer of tableware, you will find such products as sugar bowls, butter dishes, salvers, candle holders,<br />
a wide r<strong>ang</strong>e of ice cream and dessert cups, cake and fruit stands, salt cellars, jewellery coffers, napkin rings<br />
and a number of other elegant decorative elements for your table.
Tabelware<br />
Sugar Bowls<br />
In HEFRA’s offer, you will find a wide r<strong>ang</strong>e of sugar bowls from very simple and classic “Duchy<br />
of Warsaw” and “French” to more elaborate and decorative ones like “Aleksandra”<br />
and “Fragetka”. Such a rich variety of designs can perfectly satisfy the tastes of even the<br />
most exquisite connoisseurs of elegance and beauty.<br />
As both beautiful and practical objects, sugar bowls are also a perfect gift idea. In addition to<br />
their practical function of storing sugar, they also elegantly decorate the table during meals.<br />
And between meals, they can be left on the table or placed on the chest of drawers or in the<br />
cupboard, where they can enhance stylish interiors and add splendour to them.<br />
HEFRA sugar bowls are made from stainless steel and from sterling silver of the best 925<br />
purity as well as plated with finest silver of 999 purity.<br />
Customised HEFRA sugar bowls with engraved monograms can also be a precious keepsake<br />
for the family home as they are timeless in design and use.<br />
• Fragetka<br />
• Fragetka with leaf<br />
• Aleksandra<br />
• Duchy of Warsaw<br />
21
Tabelware<br />
Serving salvers<br />
HEFRA serving salvers can be used when carrying food, beverages, plates and dishes to the<br />
table. Among our hand-crafted products you will find salvers made from high-grade stainless<br />
steel or from sterling silver, as well as plated with finest silver.<br />
Beautifully decorated and made from the highest quality materials, they will be a wonderful<br />
adornment of your table both during exquisite work-related and family celebrations, as well<br />
as in everyday use. In HEFRA’s offer, you will find both oval and rect<strong>ang</strong>ular trays, with and<br />
without handles.<br />
• Rect<strong>ang</strong>ular with handles<br />
• Vienna<br />
• Art Déco<br />
• Large oval<br />
22
Tabelware<br />
Candle holders<br />
Candle holders are perfectly suited to adding character to you home. The delicate glow of<br />
candles combined with our exquisite candle holders creates an unforgettable atmosphere<br />
around the table. Whether massive ornate light candelabra or decorative night candlesticks,<br />
our candle holders are all plated with finest silver.<br />
• Straight-Shaft Candlestick<br />
• 5 light Candelabrum<br />
• Rounded-Shaft Candlestick<br />
• Night Candlestick Low<br />
• Night Candlestick High<br />
23
Tabelware<br />
Cake Stand<br />
The shapes of HEFRA tableware accessories refer mostly to designs of our predecessors,<br />
that is Fraget and Henneberg Brothers. Sometimes they are simply replicas of 19 th century<br />
products.<br />
However, production at modern HEFRA plants do not base only on historic legacy, because<br />
our offer develops all the time. We try to follow recent trends within functional art and<br />
décor. Thus, the rich offer of tableware accessories also includes modern products of minimal<br />
style and meticulous finish as ever.<br />
• Apple Flower<br />
• Art Déco<br />
• Vienna<br />
• Strawberry<br />
24
Tabelware<br />
Other accessories<br />
• 2-Coil Spiral<br />
• On Cupids<br />
• Bowl for Peanuts<br />
• Apple Flower<br />
• Oval<br />
• Aleksandra<br />
• Plate on Cupids<br />
• Semicircular<br />
• Strawberry<br />
• On Knobs<br />
Napkin rings Salt Cellars Plates & Bowls Napkin Holders<br />
25
Gifts<br />
Selected products from the offer
Gifts<br />
Chess<br />
Elegant, silver plated matches on wooden chess board in size 49.5 x 49.5 cm<br />
in an elegant box. Chess figures refer to Antiquity and represent personalities<br />
from ancient Greece. All figures are silver plated but one part is glossy<br />
and the other part is oxidized to distinguish opposite teams.<br />
29
Gifts<br />
Other gifts<br />
• Sterling silver cigarette case<br />
• Phone holder, silver plated<br />
• Champagne bucket<br />
• Sugar spoon<br />
30
Gifts<br />
• Business card holder<br />
• Modern coffer silver plated<br />
31
Services<br />
Engraving service<br />
HEFRA products gain unique and inimitable<br />
character when customized with initials, a monogram<br />
or a company logo. On client’s request,<br />
we offer engraving services, which are eagerly<br />
used by highest government institutions, companies<br />
and also private persons. A customized<br />
cutlery set specially manufactured for President<br />
of the Republic of Poland was one of our most<br />
prestigious orders.<br />
Warranty and Certificate<br />
of Quality<br />
HEFRA provides life warranty for silver and<br />
stainless-steal products and 7-year warranty for<br />
silver plated ones. Information about complaints<br />
procedure along with cleaning instructions and<br />
the maintenance manual can be found in Certificate<br />
of Quality.<br />
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www.hefra.pl
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