Limoges China

Limoges China

Many factories produced Limoges items that were primarily elaborately molded white wares - a long way from the elaborate designs we normally associate with the name. Decorating studios outside the factory dedicated themselves to the task of Limoges design or the unfinished wares were exported without decoration of any kind. China-painting students in the U.S. and elsewhere eagerly assumed the task of adding decoration to the white wares they received from the Limoges region of France.

The quality of the decoration varied according to the skill of the finisher. Collectors have learned that high quality hand painting raises the value of the work far above one that is poorly finished. A piece signed by the artist is worth even more.

Transfers or decals that mimicked hand decorating were used on some Limoges pieces. Surprisingly, when these kinds of pieces are well done, they have more value than a badly done hand-decorated item. Generally, however, collectors prefer hand decorated pieces and are willing to pay higher prices to procure the best examples.

One early and immediate success among porcelains was the 'tabatiere' or snuff box. These appeared in thousands of different shapes and many were made of porcelain. Limoges jumped on the bandwagon. Due to the accidental fires that burned down the homes of aristocrats and clergymen, groups most likely to have snuff boxes, those that survived the French Revolution (1789-1792) carry a very high value and are eagerly sought by collectors. Porcelain boxes, both Limoges and others, have again become very popular with collectors.

The kind of Limoges porcelain found today by Americans in shops and antique malls is generally representative of the American version of 19th century Limoges. Haviland was a prominent name in the history of Limoges in America. In fact from the mid-19th century to the early 1930s Americans considered Haviland Limoges the standard dinnerware on well-set tables.

Haviland is so prominent among Limoges company names that some collectors concentrate entirely on Haviland products. Still others focus on those Limoges products available from a variety of manufacturers. A book by Mary Frank Gaston, "The Collector's Encyclopedia of Limoges, avers that collectors who look beyond Haviland "move away from the quaint dinnerware toward decorative accessories such as vases, trays and tankards generally featuring more vivid coloration and an abundance of decorative gold trim."

The quality of the decoration, the book continues, is often more important than the age of the piece, albeit both are important.

Despite the popularity of Limoges over the centuries there are few reproductions available. Nevertheless, to the delight of collectors the world over, the Limoges snuff boxes have made a remarkable comeback and are the label's most famous product. Today, however, there are roughly 20-30 porcelain factories in Limoges itself and most are specialized in certain types of porcelain such as dinnerware, giftware, and industrial porcelain.

The discovery of the beautiful Limoges porcelain is an adventure that more and more people eagerly undertake. You may let the voyage begin at our collector's e-commerce store, http://theglobalconnoisseur.com

Robert D. Forst is an avid art, opera, and classical music enthusiast who has lived all over the world acquiring a cultivated taste in art, crystal, porcelain, and paintings that is reflected in his and his wife's e-commerce store. He enjoys sharing his knowledge and taste as a contributing editor at http://www.theglobalconnoisseur.com - a site that offers information concerning original oil paintings and watercolors, Romanian Crystal, Limited Edition Romanian Vases, one-of-a-kind hand-painted ceramic vases and boxes, and a great deal more.

IWDSC 0115841 Powder Box Girl Blue Limoges China $33.85 Powder Box Girl Blue Limoges China. This porcelain lady powder box. Dimension: 5.5 . Marked Limoges China on bottom.

Limoges, France $24.99 Limoges, France - Photographic Print

Limoges to Lyon $83 Travel from Limoges to Lyon by train

Limoges to Mulhouse $93 Travel from Limoges to Mulhouse by train

Brive to Limoges $20 Travel from Brive to Limoges by train

Limoges to Toulouse $40 Travel from Limoges to Toulouse by train

Limoges to Paris $49 Travel from Limoges to Paris by train

Limoges to Lille $73 Travel from Limoges to Lille by train

Limoges to Orleans $38 Travel from Limoges to Orleans by train

Gourdon to Limoges $24 Travel from Gourdon to Limoges by train

Limoges to Nice $96 Travel from Limoges to Nice by train

Limoges to Tarbes $57 Travel from Limoges to Tarbes by train

Limoges to Cahors $29 Travel from Limoges to Cahors by train

Figueres to Limoges $101 Travel from Figueres to Limoges by train

Cannes to Limoges $92 Travel from Cannes to Limoges by train

Barcelona to Limoges $101 Travel from Barcelona to Limoges by train

Angouleme to Limoges $26 Travel from Angouleme to Limoges by train

Limoges to Besancon $85 Travel from Limoges to Besancon by train

Limoges to Ales $71 Travel from Limoges to Ales by train

Limoges to Blois $43 Travel from Limoges to Blois by train

Limoges to Narbonne $53 Travel from Limoges to Narbonne by train

Avignon to Limoges $72 Travel from Avignon to Limoges by train

Carcassonne to Limoges $50 Travel from Carcassonne to Limoges by train

Limoges to Perpignan $58 Travel from Limoges to Perpignan by train

Tours to Limoges $41 Travel from Tours to Limoges by train

Arles to Limoges $71 Travel from Arles to Limoges by train

Limoges to Poitiers $28 Travel from Limoges to Poitiers by train

Limoges to Gueret $18 Travel from Limoges to Gueret by train

Limoges to Lannemezan $53 Travel from Limoges to Lannemezan by train

Limoges to Ussel $25 Travel from Limoges to Ussel by train

Vire to Limoges $74 Travel from Vire to Limoges by train

Lubersac to Limoges $15 Travel from Lubersac to Limoges by train

Assier to Limoges $28 Travel from Assier to Limoges by train

China $6.49 China

China In $17.99 China In

Limoges $1.9 These elegantly bordered invitations have shades of yellow, sage and teal green accented by flowering vines. Bright white reception, respond and informal / thank you cards are available.

Limoges to Montlucon Localit $32 Travel from Limoges to Montlucon by train

The Burning and Massacre of Limoges $39.99 The Burning and Massacre of Limoges - Giclee Print