Limoges porcelain - hand-painted tableware

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

Even in the XVIII century, there were secrets of making porcelain. They were carefully guarded. Now all the secrets are known, craftsmen and designers change jobs in ceramic factories and factories and find only minor differences in the production processes. How did Limoges porcelain appear and why is it valued all over the world? How many manufacturers does it have today? We will try to answer these questions.

A bit of history

Crafts such as glass and porcelain gravitate to places where natural raw materials are available for their production. In France, Limoges became and remained such a center, where in 1770 deposits of kaolin suitable for the manufacture of hard porcelain were discovered. Only no one knew how to properly dispose of them and, in general, what it is. Technology was needed to use it. They were obtained thanks to the activities of a monk from the Jesuit order in China, who described in letters the process of porcelain production in stages and sent samples of kaolin to his homeland. In 1771 the first Royal Porcelain Manufactory was built, and sixty years later there were about sixteen. Later, about forty enterprises appeared. And they all releasedLimoges porcelain.

This concept does not apply to any particular enterprise today. There are several brands known around the world, as well as many large and small industries.

Brand Bernardaud

In 1863, the Bernardo family opened a small manufactory and began to produce Limoges porcelain. In a very short time, all the subtleties of production were mastered, and the white fine porcelain of the family became a popular brand, first in France, and then throughout the world. Cutlery is produced as tableware for the home and for restaurants and hotels. Today, the design is characterized by extreme conciseness. The main thing in it is the whiteness of natural material, sparingly emphasized by a pattern that uses one or two colors.

Typical modern products of this house are Limoges porcelain, the photo of which is presented above. At the same time, technology has its own secrets and tricks. One product can pass through the hands of 40 craftsmen. And since this is such a complex manual work, then the prices are very high. One dessert plate, covered with gold on the board with a number, can cost 118 euros. What can we say about the service? Not every table can be put luxury items from Bernardo. They require a certain interior. Porcelain of this brand is on the tables of the Ritz, Carlton, Four Seasons hotels.

Heaviland Company

It all started with a curious incident. Mr. Haviland in America was approached by the owner of a broken saucer fromLimoges porcelain. He managed to make a copy, and he himself became interested in this painstaking and delicate work. The history of the company began in 1842, when the American businessman David Haviland, having moved to France, produced the first batch of porcelain in Limoges. And in an American way, he launched a new business. A large plant was built fifty years later, but the company did not lose ties with America.

She supplied exclusive tableware for the White House. So Limoges porcelain conquered the American market. But high-ranking persons of Europe were also interested in him, since true masters of their craft and famous artists were involved in the development of design: Chagall, Salvador Dali, Kandinsky.

House Ermes

Beginning was the production of harnesses for horses, then high-quality leather goods began to appear. The traditional occupation of this house has become the manufacture of accessories that amaze with their quality and luxury. But the family took up the production of porcelain relatively recently, in 1984, and everything in the first collection struck at once: both design and quality. It was exceptional magnificence. And later the dishes became more concise, but just as expressive. House Ermes is always looking for new shapes and designs.

In addition to these manufacturers, Reynaud, Dolaren, Royal Limoges and at least ten more not so well-known enterprises are among the major ones.

Who forges Limoges porcelain

Manufacturers in France believe that the lion's share of fakes falls on China and Tunisia. Check it outsimple enough. Original Limoges porcelain is stamped with green chrome.

In the department of Haute-Vienne, where the production of porcelain for various purposes is concentrated, each manufacturer adds their initials or symbol to the standard hallmark with the inscription Limoges France. Fakes are not branded. Thus, it is enough to turn over a plate, vase or box, and everything will be clear. Porcelain manufacturers from Limoges had to prove their rights through the courts that porcelain produced here should be called Limoges.

It's a bit more complicated with antiques. There was no single color, no single brand. For example, the Haviland family labeled GDA, H&CO/L, H&CO/Depose and Porcelaine. The labeling of other manufactories also changed many times.

Handmade

Most of all I want to buy hand-painted Limoges porcelain. After all, the products are amazingly beautiful. Handmade work differs sharply from that made with the help of stencils, stamps, decals, silk-screen printing and other technical means. Each such drawing is carefully written out with a brush. It is the traces of her brushstrokes that distinguish handwork. Each touch of the brush leaves a certain kind of stroke on porcelain.

But sometimes artists apply the drawing with a sponge or pen, that is, the creator does not always adhere to the same technique. Even when repeating the drawing, there will still be differences, since this is a living person, and notcar. And one more subtlety. The color of the paint depends on how much of it the master picks up on the brush. Too much and the paint will boil during firing. After all, it is produced at a temperature of 1400 degrees. And if not enough - the picture will not be bright enough, the colors will simply burn out. All this is familiar to masters of the highest qualification, who apply a pattern to hand-painted Limoges porcelain. Where is it produced? In the department of Haute-Vienne.

What is included in the product range

This is a lot of useful and beautiful items and gizmos. These include tea and coffee pairs, sets for a different number of people, bonbonnieres, caskets, and sculptures. Limoges porcelain is the pride of France. It spreads all over the world. It can also be bought in our country.