Königlich privilegierte Porzellanfabrik Tettau, Schmidt & Greiner was established in 1794 based on permission of Prussian king Friedrich Wilhelm II. Alexander v. Humboldt himself campaigned for its foundation. The founders were Johann Friedrich Paul Schmidt, Wilhelm Heinrich Immanuel Greiner and Georg Christian Friedmann Greiner. The Greiner family run the business until 1852.
The factory was taken over in 1852 by Ferdinand Klaus. Between 1866 and 1879 it was owned by Wilhelm Sontag and Karl Birkner. In 1879 Ludwig Maisel replaced retired Karl Birkner. The name was changed to Porzellanmanufaktur Tettau, Sontag & Maisel.
The factory completely burnt down in 1897 but was rebuilt and enlarged by owners. In 1902 Ludwig Maisel retired and Wilhelm Sontag was joined by his sons in managing the business. At the end of 19th century there were 200 employers working for the company.
In 1915 it was transformed into a stock corporation Porzellanmanufaktur Tettau A.G. In the 20th century the employment rose to 600.
In 1957 it was taken over by Seltmann Weiden group. Because of mounting pressure from Far East cheap imports, the production, sales and administration of Königlich priv. Tettau have been integrated at the locations of the Seltmann Group Rudolstadt / Volkstedt and the Erbendorf plant.
