Fine French porcelain is a matter of pride and admiration

2024 Author: Priscilla Miln | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 00:21

France is an amazingly beautiful country. Who among us has not dreamed of visiting Paris, walking along the boulevards, taking pictures at the Eiffel Tower? The Champs-Elysées, Saint-Germain, Montmartre, the Bois de Boulogne - the names of these attractions exude charm and romantic beauty.

French porcelain known for its beauty is produced here. White, thin, ringing, he seemed to have absorbed the charm and atmosphere of the country. Products from it are in great demand at any auction, they are very popular, despite the rather rather big cost.

French Porcelain: Beginning

In the old days it was brought to France from China. The products were extremely expensive, they were luxury items and were carefully kept in the collections of the nobility. Often they were set with gold or silver to protect them from damage and increase their value. At that time they paid with silver, anda lot of this precious metal has flown to China.

Attempts to make porcelain on their own began in 1650. But so far it was just faience, which was made at the manufactories of Nevers. Painted in blue, imitating the Chinese style.

In 1673, at the Rouen manufactory in Normandy, it was possible to obtain samples of soft porcelain for the first time. Subsequently, it was he who would be known as French. According to the characteristics, it was inferior to the Chinese one, it was fragile and short-lived. But it was a small victory for the masters. This porcelain was also decorated in Chinese style.

A certain Jean-Baptiste Colbert, the chief quartermaster of factories and arts, in 1664 opened Saint-Cloud - the Royal Manufactory. French porcelain was produced there, imitating Indian style.

In 1686, a delegation from the Siamese embassy arrived to Louis XIV and presented him with 1,500 delightful porcelain items as a gift. The king and nobles admired the gift, but the secret of making was still unknown.

How was the "recipe" for Chinese porcelain discovered?

Learned the secret of making in France thanks to one Jesuit. He was in China, his name was Francois Xavier d'Entrekol. The Jesuit wrote letters to France to a priest friend. The well-known sinologist of the time, Jean-Baptiste Dualdo, published them in 1735. François Xavier d'Entrecolle also donated research materials.

In Europe, deposits of similar natural resources were found, and after that, in 1752, the Servian Manufactory was founded. There for the first timecreated snow-white porcelain, which was no longer inferior to the products of the Chinese. The manufactory became famous for its exquisite tea sets and biscuits (unglazed porcelain products), and became very famous in Europe.

Also in France there was a Chantilly manufactory. She specialized in imitation Japanese porcelain, in particular the Famille rose and Kakiemon styles.

In the photo below you can see a fragment of a Servian porcelain dish.

Watch a video about Serva and Chantilly porcelain.

Limoges - the city of French porcelain

Legend says that an apothecary who lived in the city of Limoges was always surprised by the dazzling white shirts of his friend the doctor. At an opportunity, he began to ask a friend what the secret was, and he told him that his wife added white clay when washing. Rumors quickly spread around the area, residents began to use it in everyday life. Information about this reached the industrialists as well.

Soon, not far from the clay deposit, deposits of one of the varieties of feldspar were also found, which is an important component in the manufacture of French porcelain, accounting for about one quarter of its composition.

Limoges gave rise to a huge number of manufactories and workshops. Products from Limoges porcelain are still especially appreciated by connoisseurs for their dazzling whiteness and brightness of colors. It was here that the famous House of Porcelain Haviland was born, as well as the brands Bernardaud, Raynaud Limoges and Royal Limoges.

French porcelain figurines. Isn't it magnificent in its simplicity?

What are the hallmarks for?

Below in the photo you can see samples of hallmarks of French Limoges porcelain.

Putting a brand on its products, the factory notifies the buyer about the quality of the product and the traditions that have developed over the centuries. Experienced collectors and lovers of antiques know that hallmarks are applied in two ways - under glaze and over glaze. Beginners are advised to be careful - French porcelain, unfortunately, is often faked. On the forums you can also find photos with fake stamps. Even better, consult an expert before buying expensive porcelain.