Lenox was originally made for U.S. Presidents and dignitaries and was the first American china to be used in the White House. Although Lenox is also sold to families across America, it holds one of the most respected names in fine tableware and giftware.

Lenox, combining his knack for drawing and his attraction to clay, worked as a designer and decorator for local Trenton potteries starting in 1875. In 1881 Lenox had advanced to design director for Ott & Brewer and soon after, Willets Manufacturing. After both firms failed, Lenox decided it was time to start his own business.

Lenox opened his Ceramic Art Company, Lenox, in 1889 and made it into an art studio, rather than a simple dish or pottery store or factory. Starting out with just 18 employees, each piece was elegantly painted and met with exhilaration and carried only in the most exclusive stores.

In the early 20th century, fine home dining in a separate dining room was the new trend. Despite domination of European china, Lenox began offering custom-designed and beautifully detailed dinnerware. He used famous artists such as William Morley to design his dishes. Having major artists as designers was so successful that Lenox decided to change his firm's name in 1906 to Lenox Incorporated to show a change of direction to which he then started selling complete sets of dinnerware.

Around 1910 Lenox Inc. started selling dinnerware in standardized patterns that were decorated with transfer prints and enhanced with hand-applied color. By 1917, two patterns were introduced- Mandarin and Ming and would became popular for the following 50 years.

Lenox soon became a name that was identified with elegant tableware, chosen for only the best homes, such as the White House. Hostesses everywhere were elated knowing their dinner guests would recognize the Lenox brand and think highly of her.

When founder Walter Scott Lenox died in 1920, the factory was expanded to twice its size and displayed an elegant showroom in honor of the founder. Lenox products became widely known thanks to designer Frank Graham Holmes. Holmes had won many awards for his designs, including one from the National Museum of Ceramics in Sevres, France, the first and only American porcelain extended this honor.