Before I became interested in antique and collectible china, I had heard of Limoges china and assumed that there was a company named Limoges that made this particular brand of china. It wasn’t until later that I learned that it refers to a particular type of china that was made in the Limoges region of France and that there were several different companies that produced Limoges china.
The Limoges china that most collectors seek was made from the 1700s to around 1930. In the late 1700s a type of white clay, known as “kaolin,” that was commonly used in highly prized Chinese porcelain was discovered in the Limoges region, and porcelain factories soon began popping up in the region.
One interesting detail about Limoges china that can make a huge difference in the price of a piece is the decoration. Many of the pieces were hand decorated and signed by artists employed by the factory, and these are some of the most valuable. Others are transferware, decorated by designs that were transferred onto the porcelain and then glazed. However, it was common practice for Limoges factories to sell “blanks” which were simply plain, white china which was then purchased and decorated by amateurs. This was a popular hobby for ladies and good practice for art students. Many of these amateurs became quite skilled, however it is important to carefully assess the quality of decoration when purchasing a Limoges piece since it is possible to find genuine Limoges china with sloppy decoration.
For a more detailed history, visit the Musee National Adrien Dubouche – Limoges
Limoges Antiques has plenty of beautiful limoges pieces for sale – take a look!
