Viandox kopperne
What is Viandox?
Viandox is a French liquid seasoning sauce with a strong salty flavor—a kind of broth with a hint of soy sauce. It is used to add extra depth to soups, sauces, rice, and vegetables.
The product was originally developed in the early 1900s and remains a popular item in France. Just a few drops are enough to add more flavor to your food.
Viandox was invented by Justus von Liebig (the man behind the bouillon cube). The name is a combination of "viande " (meat) and "ox " (cow).
Viandox cups
Viandox cups are small porcelain cups that were produced as advertising and promotional items. The cups were typically used to drink a very hot broth made with Viandox and celery salt. They were particularly popular during and after the war, when food was rationed and in short supply.
The cups were also practical because they could be reused over and over again—something that was important when resources were scarce and people wanted to avoid waste.
The different Viandox cups
Viandoxkopper findes i flere farver og udgaver. Vi bliver ofte spurgt hvorfor nogle af kopperne er dyre end andre, så her kommer et lille overblik over de forskellige kopper.
The classic white Viandox, featuring a red logo and brown base, was originallydesigned to withstand the rigors of French bistros and serves as the successor to the yellow version. The porcelain is thick, allowing it to retain heat , and the base is shaped to make the cups easy to stack.
This model dates from around the 1960s and represents an attempt to introduce a more modern cup, as the typography clearly demonstrates.
There are newer Viandox cups that closely resemble standard coffee mugs. They have not been included in this review, as we do not carry them.
Den gule viandox kop
The yellow Viandox isa real pop art favorite—and also the cup we sell the most of, because it fits perfectly into Danish interior design. It was introduced in the 1950s and has a chunky look, but is also stackable.
They may vary slightly in shade of yellow, depending on the manufacturer, and some cups have a stamp while others do not. Those without a stamp were produced for French bistros as part of a promotional campaign.
Den blå viandox kop
Søster modellen til den gule, er den blå viandox som også er fra 1950'erne, hvor pastelfarver var meget populære. Den gule og blå blev designet til at komplementere hinanden og et sæt med en gul og en blå i dag, er virkelig eftertragtet for samlere.
The yellow version of this model is hard to find. The reason is that yellow was Viandox’s signature color in the 1950s and matched their labels. The blue version was produced as a limited edition, and many were discarded because the blue color quickly began to look dirty. Today, they are more likely to end up in private collections than on the market.
Terre de Fer viandox kop
The Terre de Fer Viandox cup dates from the 1920s–1940s, a period characterized by its distinctive color and typeface. The "original" bistro cup.
They are heavier but also more fragile than the porcelain produced today. That is why many of the cups have cracks in the glaze and some discoloration.
They come in various sizes, and the oldest ones have a handle, which can be seen on the bottom cup in the photo on the left. A smaller hole and more intricate details—and more fragile.
The Viandox cup, featuring the cleanreddish-brown logo in various designs, is—along with the La Santé cup —one of the first models of Viandox cups.
This model was released shortly before the La Santé cup, which focused more on branding than on providing information. The cup dates from the late 1920s to the early 1930s and features an Art Deco design. Like the blue-and-white cup, it is made of terre de fer and is more fragile than the models from the 1950s onward.
La Santé viandox kop
The La Santé cup is the first model produced between 1900 and 1920; the text "La Santé par Viandox" serves as a statement that Viandox promotes better health. The red stripe along the rim is painted on, and the cup is made of thinner faience.
Both models are hard to find because they are such sought-after collector's items. This is, of course, reflected in the price.
Guirlande viandox kop
Den sidste Viandox kop er guirlande modellen. Denne er der ikke lavet mange af og den er designet i klassiske victoriansk stil med en guirlande af blade og blomsterranker. Teksten har et ! efter sig, for at illustrere nyhedsværdien i Viandox. En model der er fra slutningen af 1800-tallet.
You can find our selection of Viandox cups here.
We’ll keep adding cups as we find them and bring them back to Denmark.
Viandox cups today
The Viandox mug is popular because it’s authentic. It wasn’t designed to be trendy, but to be used. They’re both beautiful and steeped in history—and are sought after all over the world. The pastel-colored cups, in particular, fit perfectly into a Scandinavian interior design scheme because they add a touch of flair to a minimalist kitchen.
Outside Denmark and France, these cups have become symbols of the French way of life. In countries such as Japan and the United States, large communities of collectors have emerged, where the Viandox cup is seen as the ultimate proof of an appreciation for European history and craftsmanship.
Many collectors don’t use them for drinking at all, but display them as little splashes of color on shelves or use them as planters for small cacti and succulents.
We hope this has given you some insight into the different Viandox cups and why they vary in design and price.
