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.
Antique KPM style French Religious Enamel Copper Virgin Mary FJ Carmona Limoges
By Limoges
Located in Dublin, Ireland
Stunning Hand Painted French Miniature Enamel on Copper depicting a portrait religous view of the Virgin Mary, complete with its original polished wooden frame. Circa 1940. Signed lo...
Bronze, Copper, Enamel
Camille Tharaud for Limoges Little Girl Biscuit Bust
By Limoges
Located in Antwerp, BE
Gorgeous porcelain busts of Louise Brongniart in bisque porcelain on royal blue enameled base, by Tharaud, Limoges, after the originals by Jean-Antoine Houdon (1741-1828). Louise was...
Gold
$262Sale Price|30% Off
H 9.5 in W 3 in D 3 in
Emmanuel Villanis Style Art Nouveau French Virgin Mary Sculpture w/ Marble Base
By Emmanuel Villanis
Located in Van Nuys, CA
A turn of the 20th century Emmanuel Villanis styled Virgin Mary bust sculpture exudes the ethereal grace reminiscent of the virgin saint in an Art Nou...
Marble, Bronze
Lalique Signed Virgin Mary Crystal, France
By Lalique
Located in Rijssen, NL
Luxury at its finest, A collector’s item made by Lalique in France. This high-end piece is made by Lalique. The Lalique Vierge Mains Jointes is a radiant crystal sculpture of the V...
Crystal
Bronze bust of a Bohemian young girl, 1920
Located in Brighton, Sussex
Enchanting patinated bronze bust of a young Bohemian girl. Batch 81 G340/24 DNYZ
Bronze
French Antique Bust of a Young Girl in Plaster
Located in SAINTE-COLOMBE, FR
French Antique Bust of a Young Girl in Plaster A pretty polychrome plaster bust of a young girl wearing a headscarf with her eyes cast downwards. The piece features carvings of b...
Plaster
Pair of French Limoges Enamel Vases
By Limoges
Located in Newark, England
FREE WORLDWIDE SHIPPING This pair of antique French Limoges enamel vases represents a refined example of Belle Époque design. Painted in vivid enamel colours and attributed to the L...
Brass, Enamel
$3,250
H 24.41 in W 7.88 in D 1.97 in
18th Century Italian Carved Wood Polychrome Virgin Mary Sculpture
Located in Doha, QA
This is an outstanding Italian 18th century carved wood polychromed sculpture of Virgin Mary. The Sculpture is hand painted with some remains of a gold gilt in few places and originated until lately in a private Villa in Tuscany (Italy). The colors are typical red, blue and green are spectacular on this large figure. The Virgin's hands are joined together in a prayer, while standing on a pedestal on the both sides of which are devil's horns (bottom left side horn missing ) symbolising Holly Mary defeating the Evil, protected by the Holly Ghost and an Angel. A story tells the pose of the Virgin Mary sculpture...
Wood, Pine
French Limoges Enamel Box
By Limoges
Located in New Orleans, LA
This delightful porcelain and enamel box perfectly exemplifies the esteemed French Limoges tradition. It features a meticulously hand-applied pink and blue floral scene against a bro...
Enamel
Porcelain Plaque Of The Holy Virgin Mary
Located in Guaynabo, PR
This is a porcelain plaque of the Holy Virgin Mary. It depicts an oval shaped medallion adorned in the center by a high relief profile of the Virgin Mary. Around the medallion is pie...
Porcelain
Camille Tharaud For Limoges Porcelain Vase
By Tharaud Limoges, Camille Tharaud
Located in Waxahachie, TX
Camille Tharaud (French, 1878-1956) For Limoges Porcelain Vase DESCRIPTION: Limoges blue and white porcelain vase by Camille Tharaud porcelain featuring ...
Porcelain
$1,800Sale Price|20% Off
H 33.5 in W 30 in D 4 in
Virgin Mary and Baby Jesus Ceramic Sculpture/Relief Frame
Located in Guaynabo, PR
This a sculpture/relief of the Virgin Mary holding very tenderly a Baby Jesus who fell asleep. It is attached to an almost square wood frame. The sculpture stand over an oval wood base. Her eyes are blue and looking up with a serene gaze ( like praying ). The Virgin Mary is wearing a pine green robe...
Ceramic
Antique Berlin KPM Porcelain Figural Group Sculpture
By KPM Porcelain
Located in LOS ANGELES, CA
Antique Berlin KPM Porcelain Figural Group Sculpture
Porcelain
$7,439
H 39.38 in W 35.44 in D 5.12 in
Large Carved Relief Depicting the Annunciation Archangel Gabriel and Virgin Mary
Located in ALHAURÍN EL GRANDE, Malaga
Germany, 19th Century An impressive and finely carved wooden relief depicting the Annunciation, the sacred moment in which the Archangel Gabriel appears before the Virgin Mary to an...
Wood
Sold
H 27.56 in W 12.6 in D 11.82 in
Late 19th Century Bisque of Young Woman with Hat After Carrier-Belleuse
By Limoges, Albert-Ernest Carrier-Belleuse
Located in Peyraud, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes
Late 19th century porcelain biscuit bust of a woman after Albert Ernest Carrier-Belleuse (1824-1887) and produced by the Laporte factory in Limo...
Porcelain