Limoges porcelain has withstood the test of time for centuries. The widely cherished ceramics named for the French city and commune in which they are made are synonymous with sophistication, elegance and refinement. Today, antique Limoges dinnerware, serveware, decorative objects and other porcelain products are coveted and collected all over the world.
The story of Limoges porcelain, which refers to porcelain made in the Limoges region of France — not by a specific factory — begins in 1768. The region is a rich source of kaolin, feldspar and quartz — vital ingredients to the production of this type of pottery.
Porcelain was first made in China and spread all over the world owing to the trade routes to the Far East established by Dutch and Portuguese merchants. Given its origin, English speakers called porcelain “fine china,” an expression you still might hear today. "Fine" indeed — for over a thousand years, it has been a highly sought-after material. Meissen Porcelain (Staatliche Porzellan-Manufaktur Meissen), which was founded in the Electorate of Saxony (now Germany), is one of the preeminent porcelain factories in Europe and was the first to produce true porcelain outside of Asia.
Limoges porcelain refers to porcelain produced in and near the city of Limoges — it does not refer to a specific manufacturer — and it’s distinctive for its luminous hue and bright white qualities, providing an ideal canvas for intricately detailed hand-painted decorations. (Revered Impressionist painter Pierre-Auguste Renoir began his career painting plates in Limoges.)
It wasn’t long before Limoges porcelain captured the attention of King Louis XVI — the region’s first manufactory, established toward the close of the 18th century, was placed under the protection of the King’s brother, the Comte d’Artois. It was later purchased by the King and became Manufacture Royale de Limoges. The facility produced a variety of pieces, including delicate, gold-embellished trinket boxes, ornamental vessels, Rococo-style figurines and elaborate dinnerware service sets.
Following the end of the French Revolution in 1794, Limoges porcelain was no longer restricted, and the commercial porcelain industry ballooned.
By 1819, Limoges had four porcelain factories, and as demand for porcelain grew during the 19th century, the industry expanded in the French city. In 1853, American businessman David Haviland opened the Haviland & Co. factory in Limoges to export porcelain to the United States. The company produced several iconic serveware collections for many American presidents, including Abraham Lincoln, Ulysses S. Grant and Rutherford B. Hayes. Bernardaud opened in the early 1860s.
By 1900, Limoges had 35 factories, which employed close to 8,000 workers. In 1925, Limoges porcelain was shown at the International Exhibition of Modern Decorative and Industrial Arts — the design fair in Paris that brought global attention to the Art Deco style — where it garnered international acclaim.
During the 20th century, Limoges factories such as Bernardaud collaborated with a range of notable artists and designers, including Franz Bischoff, Joan Miró, Raymond Loewy, Alexander Calder and Julian Schnabel, to name a few.
Today, authentic Limoges porcelain tableware, vases and objets d’art continue to gain renown with collectors and design lovers all over the world.
Find an extensive collection of antique Limoges porcelain on 1stDibs.
French Limoges Porcelain Burgundy Gilt Swan Handle Centerpiece Signed SC
By (After) Jean-Honoré Fragonard, Limoges
Located in Forney, TX
A beautiful vintage French Limoges porcelain swan handled table centerpiece / vase / fruit bowl / jardiniere / wine cooler with medallions after renowned 18th century Rococo painter ...
Porcelain
19th Century French Neoclassical Louis XVI Style Bisque Porcelain Urn Vases Pair
Located in Forney, TX
An exceptional matching pair of exhibition quality bisque porcelain vasi-form urn garnitures, very fine Parisian work, elegant Louis XVI style, finished with luxurious Neoclassical taste, the magnificent, richly decorated ovoid form antique urns / vases adorned in sumptuous finely gilded, chiseled and chased ormolu mounts. Made in France in the late 19th century, having shaped rope twist handles rising above classical female mask mounts decorating the sides, bands of decadent gold-tone gilded bronze floral garland and ribbon draped laurel swags flanked by exuberant scallop-shell running ornamentation, complementing the matte cream white color of the bisque porcelain. The waisted neck and slightly flared rim with simple decoration, the waisted pedestal base ornamented with stylized acanthus leaves in gilt bronze, leading to a cavetto square white marble socle encircled with stepped scrolling foliate festoon ornamental gilt...
Bronze, Ormolu, Brass
Monumental 19th Century French Empire Sèvres Style Porcelain Urns, a Pair
Located in Forney, TX
A magnificent pair of French antique gilt bronze mounted pink Sèvres porcelain style vasiform urns. Born in France in the 19th century, hand-crafted in rich grandiose Empire taste, palatial awe-inspiring large scale, featuring ornate finely chiseled and sculpted dore' bronze hinged handle mounts, partial gilt pink ground baluster form amphora - pithos form body surmounted by patinated brass final topped cover affixed to the flaired narrowing neck rising from voluptuous bulbous tapering body, embellished with elaborate gilded gold enameled scroll flourish filigree decoration framing central oval medallion showcasing hand painted polychrome classical landscape and pastoral figural scenes, over doré bronze mount fillet adorned porcelain foot ending in substantial sturdy octagonal cast gilt metal plinth base. A superb example, high quality craftsmanship, construction, and materials, exceptionally executed design, this pair makes for a wonderful decorative object and most impressive statement piece! Exceedingly rare, boldly beautiful and absolutely stunning, this majestic pair is sure to become the focal point in any room. Placed in beside a fireplace, flanking an door, entry or hall, atop a massive sideboard...
Brass, Bronze
Vintage German Carl Thieme Dresden Porcelain Amphora Vasiform Urn Table Lamp
By Dresden Porcelain, Meissen Porcelain, Carl Thieme
Located in Forney, TX
A elegant antique German Dresden porcelain amphora-shaped vasiform urn, Carl Thieme, Potschappel, richly decorated with stunning hand painted floral roses and laurel garlands against...
Brass
Antique French T&V Limoges Porcelain Painted Pitcher For Pitkin & Brooks Chicago
By Tressemanes & Vogt, T&V Limoges
Located in Forney, TX
A beautiful large antique French export hand-painted Limoges porcelain pitcher (would also make a wonderful vase) with gilt handle and accent...
Porcelain
Signed Monumental Italian Porcelain Fiori Urn Floor Vase
Located in Forney, TX
A magnificent and impressive sized vintage Italian hand painted lidded Fiori urn form vase. Exquisitely polychrome decorated floral, scrollwork motif, rich color, shaped top surmounted with large finial, hexagonal base, signature, elegantly aged patina over the whole. Artist signed: "M Dalla Costa...
Porcelain, Paint
Petite Sevres Porcelain and Bronze Ormolu Mounted Urn Vase
By Manufacture Nationale de Sèvres
Located in Guaynabo, PR
This is a very old gilt and pale pink background urn depicting a continuous hand-painted scene of a lady sitting in a pastoral landscape holding her fan and observing nature. In the ...
Porcelain
Wonderful Late 19th Century Red and White Sèvres Style Porcelain Vase and Cover
By Manufacture Nationale de Sèvres
Located in Long Island City, NY
A Wonderful Late 19th Century Red and White Sèvres Style Porcelain Vase and Cover Signed by the artist L. Bertren Four beautiful painted panels, the center with a love scene, the r...
Porcelain
19th C. French Sevres-Style Porcelain Cachepot with Gilt Bronze Lion Mounts
By Cristalleries De Sevres
Located in Atlanta, GA
A richly decorated French porcelain cachepot in the style of Sèvres, dating to the late 19th century and mounted in finely chased gilt bronze. One side features a Rococo fête galante...
Bronze, Enamel
Fine German 19th Century Porcelain and Gilt-Bronze Mounted Potpourri Urn Vase
By Meissen Porcelain
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A very fine German 19th century porcelain and gilt-bronze mounted Potpourri Urn-Vase with Lid, attributed to Meissen. The ovoid white porcelain urn, decorated on all sides and lid wi...
Bronze, Ormolu
18thc Large Antique French Sevres Porcelain Vase/ Covered Urn Ammon-Ra w/Bronze
By Manufacture Nationale de Sèvres
Located in Opa Locka, FL
Stunning and Rare Large 18thc French Louis XV Marked Sevres Porcelain Covered Urn/ Vase Ammon-Ra. Pristine condition. Vibrant beautiful coloring. Mark 1758-59. Estate find from the S...
Porcelain
Antique Royal Vienna Austrian Porcelain 21" Hand Painted Red Urn Vase with Lid
By Royal Vienna Porcelain
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique Royal Vienna Austrian Porcelain 21" Hand Painted Red Urn Vase with Lid. Circa Late 19th Century. Measurements: 21" H x 6" W x 6" D.
Porcelain
