The Frankenthal Porcelain Factory (Porzellanmanufaktur Frankenthal) was founded in 1755 by Karl Hannong in the German town of Frankenthal in Rhineland-Palatinate. The license was granted by the Elector of the Palatinate, Karl Theodor. Hannong had previously produced hard-paste porcelain in Strasbourg. He had to move production from France to Rhineland-Palatinate because Louis XVI had introduced the porcelain monopoly for Sevres.
Karl Hannon died in 1760 and his two sons were unable to reach an agreement. The company's debts to the Elector increased to such an extent that it was impossible to repay them. Finally, in 1762, the Porcelain Factory Frankenthal was bought by the Elector. After Karl Theodor took over the business, the factory became very successful. It was widely known for the quality of its products.
Artists such as Simon Feinler, Johann Friedrich Lueck, Konrad Link (1763-66) and Johann Peter Melchior (1779-93) worked in the manufactory.
The Napoleonic Wars put an end to the business. In 1794 the factory was nationalised by the French authorities and leased to Peter van Recum. In 1799 it was closed for good.
