20. October 2006.

A Mór Fischer memorial plaque was unveiled in Tata on 11 October at the family's tomb, consecrated by Chief Rabbi Tamás Raj.

A bust of Fischer, often referred to as the "second founder", was also unveiled in the boardroom of the Mayor's Office. The events were timed to coincide with the 180th anniversary of the foundation of the Manufactory as Fischer can also be considered responsible for the world-wide fame of Herend porcelain. The involvement of Mór Fisher, from a Tata merchant family, ensured the survival of the small porcelain manufactory, which was struggling economically and financially at the time. Initially Fisher just supported the business with loans, later becoming a stakeholder and on 2 July 1840 its sole owner.

The first real recognition of his efforts came at the 1842 industrial exhibition where Lajos Kossuth said that the Herend products on display "would be fit for a prince's table". It was also Kossuth who, a year later, presented a gold medal to Fischer.
The owner's energy and enthusiasm were not dampened even by the fire in 1843 that caused incalculable damage to the Manufactory. Once this damage was repaired, fundamental changes were introduced. The Manufactory stopped producing objects for everyday use as Fischer could see clearly that the company could only break into foreign markets with excellent products as it had to compete with prestigious manufactories such as Meissen, Sévres, Capo di Monte and Vienna. Although he adopted the shapes and ornamental motifs of old Oriental porcelains, they acquired a unique character and became Herend porcelain. He also experimented successfully with a new kind of plastic paste, colours and firing methods.
By changing to the opulent shapes and decorating method Herend took the first step towards worldwide fame. The technical and artistic efforts of the Manufactory were first recognised at the series of world exhibitions, which started in 1851. In London Herend products were awarded a "First Class" medal at the Great Exhibition in the Crystal Palace, where Queen Victoria ordered the Chinese-influenced service featuring butterflies and flowers which-named after her-remains one of the most popular patterns to date. The next two world exhibitions were organised in New York and then in Paris where Herend won yet more prizes. These were followed by various decorations, including a gold medal awarded by the King of Belgium, the Honoris Causa decoration at the 1862 London World Exhibition, the order of Franz Joseph and the Officier of the Légion d'honneur. Franz Joseph I gave a title to Mór Fischer, adding Farkasházy to his name.

However, the real honour came from orders placed by imperial and royal courts, from the Hungarian and foreign aristocracy and from well-known political figures and artists. Clients included Franz Joseph, Emperor of Austria and King of Hungary, Victoria, Queen of England, Eugénie, Empress Consort of France, Alexander II Russian Tzar, the Shah of Persia, Count Rudolf Apponyi, Count Pál Esterházy, the Barons Rothschild and Alexander von Humboldt. Mór Farkasházy Fischer retired to Tata in 1876. His efforts marked a special period in the life of the Herend Manufactory and contributed significantly to the development of global porcelain art.

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• Mór Fischer