The Holland Mold Story

Holland Mold Inc. was founded in 1946 by Frank Hollendonner, an Austrian immigrant who learned mold making at a tile company in his homeland. Having settled in Trenton, New Jersey, the home to numerous potteries, his experience easily got him a job making molds for a tile manufacturer.  The likeable Hollendonner made friends throughout the local ceramics industry, and soon got requests to create molds for a variety of items. 

This triggered the founding of Holland Mold, a company he started in his four car garage with his brother Rudy as his partner.  Business was brisk, and Frank mortgaged his home and borrowed money in order to finance the move to a proper facility.  

Never producing finished products, they made molds primarily for home crafters, although some of their designs found their way into mass production at various potteries.  Holland Mold flourished for fifty-one years, and was ultimately owned by three generations of the Hollendonner family.

Various ceramic designs can be found with the Holland Mold mark, some of which are high-fired professional items.  But the majority of pieces are frequently found made by and clearly the work of a ceramic hobbyist.

But times change and the 1980's saw the popularity of rubber master molds, and competition in the field increased.  The family decided to retire and sold the company's assets in 1997.

A debt of gratitude goes to Frank Hollendonner Jr. for graciously sharing the history of his family business.
 
We feel blessed to have acquired such a large selection and wide variety of Holland Molds in 1997.

We are committed to provide the long lasting quality molds that have graced the Holland name since 1946.