Limoges (France) vase

Limoges porcelain is hard-paste porcelain produced by a number of factories in and around the city of Limoges, France beginning in the late 18th century. Limoge refers to the region where the porcelain was produced but, but does not refer to a particular manufacturer. The history of Limoges porcelain can be traced back to the discovery of kaolin, a type of white clay, in the Limousin region of France in the early 18th century. The kaolin was found to be of exceptionally high quality, and soon became sought after by European porcelain makers. By about 1830 had replaced Paris as the main centre for private porcelain factories, although the state-owned Sèvres porcelain near Paris remained dominant at the very top of the market. Limoges has maintained this position to the present day.

One of the first porcelain factories was established in 1768, by Jean-Baptiste Darnet established the more... first porcelain factory in Limoges, and after the French Revolution a number of private factories were established at Limoges and the production of porcelain in the region quickly grew. Initially, Limoges porcelain was made in the style of Meissen porcelain, with elaborate hand-painted designs and gold leaf decoration. However, by the early 19th century, Limoges porcelain had developed its own unique style, characterized by simple, elegant designs and the use of subtle colours and patterns. Factories today include Bernardaud, Haviland & Co. and Royal Limoges. Nernardaud, Raynaud, J.L Coquet, Haviland and Alberto Pinto. less...