Limoges Porcelain

This lens will explore the porcelain style known to collectors as Limoges. Limoges is not really a maker's brand, rather, it is a collection of excellent, highly refined porcelain manufacturers who settled in and around the city of Limoges in France.

The probably most commonly found limoges porcelain items are those signed by members of the Haviland family, e.g., David, Theodore, Charles, and Johann.

Limoges Porcelain France

From wikipedia we learn:

The manufactoring of hard-paste Limoges porcelain was established by Turgot in 1771 and placed under the supervision of the Royal Prince Comte d'Artois, brother to Louis XVI de Bourbon. Limoges had been the site of a minor industry producing plain faience [pronounced fuh-yonce] earthenwares since the 1730s, but the first identified French source of kaolin and a material similar to petuntse (the ingredients used for the production of hard-paste porcelain similar to Chinese porcelain) were discovered at Saint-Yrieix-la-Perche, near Limoges, in an economically rather under-developed area at the time. Mining of these materials began in 1768. The French king, in 1784, purchased the entire area because he was advised with these raw materials producing hard-paste bodies for decoration at Sèvres for his favorite Sevres porcelains will become easier. This later turned out not to be the case.

After the revolution against Royalty in France, several private factories were established at Limoges, the the most important of these being that of the Havilland family. "Limoges porcelain" is a collective term for porcelain produced in and in the vicinity of the Limoges the town, rather than a specific factory brand name. Limoges remains the most influential porcelain manufacturing area in France even today.

Why are there so many Limoges porcelain items available?

Well, one of the reasons why there is such a good supply of beautiful old Limoges pieces is the result of the fact that there were many factories producing it. Another factor is its cherished nature. Highly priced when new, Limoges was the so-called "porcelain for guests" in many homes, and was well kept to pass to future generations. Today, these heirloom pieces are becoming more and more valued among collectors.

With the dawn of the Victorian era seeking light and cheerfulness as opposed to the cold, dark Northern mood, and with the high quality and beautiful(often floral) decoration of the Limoges porcelain wares as well as its wide branched variety for practical use (vases, jardinieres, tankard and bowl sets); decorative accessories (dresser sets, trinket boxes, humidors, inkwells); and table china Limoges soon became the all time most popular porcelain in France and abroad. Dinner sets often included everything from berry sets, cider pitchers, cracker & jam jars, teapots and chocolate sets to regular dishes and serving pieces, making them a highly desired product for newlyweds and even the household of the Presidents of the United States of America.

The high quality, refined porcelain, fired and re-fired at increasingly high temperatures, which make Limoges porcelain translucent (allow light to pass through), and its much lighter weight than other porcelain or pottery also contributed to the popularity of Limoges porcelain.

Characteristics of Limoges Porcelain

Limoges pieces can be recognized by experts, but there are some features or characteristics laypersons and inexperienced collectors can also easily identify. First, the decoration on Limoges porcelain may be (1) under-glaze (hand-painted or with transfer decals between the first and second glaze layers); (2) decorated above the glaze; or (3) both. Most commonly seen in collections are Haviland Limoges pieces, because the Haviland family primarily produced porcelain dinner services which were cherished and safely tucked away in dowries and trunks, curio cabinets and buffets thus surviving some upheavals in history. These items are usually enhanced by delicate under-glaze transfers, flower-wreaths or garlands. Other Limoges pieces may have a larger pattern of fruit. It is more rare to find Limoges pieces with figurative decoration, depicting animals or humans, and the probably rarest finds are showing some landscape decoration. Older pieces have a much higher quality gilding than newer ones. Older items are always hand-painted, whereas the newer ones aren't always.

The so-called "American Limoge" is less highly regarded, although there are some nice examples and some avid collectors of this line as well.

Many Limoges manufacturers are still operating today. If you have a collection, or wish to start one, your best bet is to arm yourself with some books on porcelain marks which will help you distinguish older marks from newer ones.

Useful links for the porcelain collector

Sotheby's Auction House: A highly reputable traditional auction house, Sotheby's offers exhibitions, auctions and very useful catalogues with pictures and prices of sold items.
Christie's Auction House: Similar to Sotheby's, Christie's is also an auction house traditionally accepted as one of the most reliable experts in evaluating, marketing, buying and selling antiques.
Haviland Collectors' International Foundation: Haviland Collectors International Foundation, founded in 1990, is a world-wide organization of people dedicated to the collecting and study of porcelain and pottery produced by the Haviland families in France and America. There are members who are seeking pieces to complete the dinnerware set from Grandma and those searching for exotic porcelain and pottery items. Informative articles are printed in the Haviland Quarterly. HCIF maintains a variety of publications helpful to the newcomer as well as the advanced collector. A national annual conference is held as are regional gatherings. Exhibits are promoted and research is encouraged through the existence of a scholarship fund.

The City of Limoges

This video from you tube is made by yojimbo37

1. World of Limoges

streets, uni, people, art gallery, tour de limoges.

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Runtime: 6:51
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