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.
Porcelain Oyster Plate with Seaweeds Limoges, circa 1900
By Limoges
Located in Austin, TX
French porcelain oyster plate with seaweeds Limoges, circa 1900.
Porcelain
French Porcelain Oyster Plate Limoges Circa 1900
By Limoges
Located in Austin, TX
French Porcelain Oyster Plate Limoges Circa 1900.
Ceramic, Porcelain
Small Porcelain Blue Flowers Oyster Plate Limoges, circa 1900
By Limoges
Located in Austin, TX
Small Porcelain Blue Flowers Oyster Plate Limoges, circa 1900. 7.5 inches diameter.
Porcelain
Porcelain Oyster Botanical Plate Limoges, circa 1900
By Limoges
Located in Austin, TX
Porcelain Oyster Botanical Plate Limoges, circa 1900.
Porcelain
Limoges, French Dinner Set, 54 Pieces, Milles Raies Rose
By Atelier Raynaud, Limoges
Located in Montreal, Quebec
French Limoges 54 piece dinner set includes 23 dinner plates as well as various plates in other sizes, and serving dishes crafted with fine porcelain. Raynaud's pattern "Milles Raies...
Porcelain
Vintage Regency Limoges Porcelain Dinner Plates - Set of 4
By Limoges
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
This stunning set of four vintage Limoges porcelain dinner plates showcases intricate hand-painted designs featuring gourmet food themes, from fresh fruits and fine wines to decadent...
Porcelain
$1,600 / set
Set of French Victorian Limoges Porcelain Plates
By Limoges
Located in Queens, NY
Set of 12 French Victorian Limoges porcelain plates with scalloped edge and gilt bird scenes. (PRICED AS SET).
Porcelain
Set Of 6 Lafarge Limoges For Le Cirque Restaurant Monkey Salad Plates
By Limoges
Located in Bridgeport, CT
A set of six Lafarge Limoges for Le Cirque Restaurant porcelain salad plates displaying vibrant green trims with scenes of monkeys picking fruit. Dimensions: 8 7/8" W x 3/4" H Cond...
Porcelain
Limoges, Porcelain, Floral Design, Twelve Haviland Dinner Plates, Paris, 20th C.
By Limoges
Located in Manhasset, NY
Limoges, Porcelain, Floral Design, Twelve Haviland Dinner Plates, Paris, 20th C. Set of twelve Haviland Limoges porcelain plates retailed by Au Vase Etrusque, Paris, early 20th cent...
Porcelain
Mid-Century Modern Porcelain Fish Dish by Limoges France
By Limoges
Located in Auribeau sur Siagne, FR
Porcelain fish dish from the French brand Limoges. The service is decorated with decration of fish. The Dish dates from around 1960. The porcelain is of a beautiful, refined quality....
Porcelain
$700Sale Price / set|22% Off
Set of 12 Havilland- Limoges Dinner Plates, Six Fish and Crustacean Designs
By Limoges
Located in San Francisco, CA
This set of Limoges Dinner Plates are quite rare. The set consists of six different designs, two each in the set. The designs are very reminiscen...
Porcelain
37-Piece French Victorian Limoges Porcelain Dinner Set
By Limoges
Located in Queens, NY
37 Piece French Victorian Limoges porcelain dinner service with yellow border and floral trim (PRICED AS SET)
Porcelain
Mid-Century Modern Porcelain Fish Dish by Limoges, France
By Limoges
Located in Auribeau sur Siagne, FR
Porcelain fish Dish from the French brand Limoges. The service is decorated with decration of fish. The Dish dates from around 1960. The porcelain is of a beautiful, refined quality....
Porcelain
Plate with illustration of 2 figures, Picasso, Limoges, France
By Limoges
Located in Auribeau sur Siagne, FR
Decorative ceramic plate made in France, decorated with a design inspired by the work of Pablo Picasso. The central motif depicts two stylized figures in motion, drawn in black and enhanced with graphic touches of green, red, and blue, characteristic of the artist's pictorial vocabulary. An emblematic piece embodying the dialogue between modern art and 20th-century decorative arts, produced in the tradition of French artistic ceramics. Main Features : Decorative ceramic plate France, 20th century Design inspired by Pablo Picasso Stylized figures and expressive graphic composition Polychrome palette: black, blue, green, and red Marked on the reverse (France) Excellent collector's item or wall decoration A fusion of modern art and decorative ceramics Keywords : Picasso plate, Picasso ceramics France, modern decorative plate, French modern art, decorative cubism, 20th-century artistic ceramics, collectible plate, French art and design, modern wall decoration, Vallauris Picasso...
Faience
$215 / item
Eight Art Deco Primavera and Limoges Plates
By Limoges, Atelier Primavera au Printemps
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Eight Art Deco Primavera and Limoges plates wear of the decor on one of the plates.
Porcelain
$5,500 / set
Set of Eight Limoges Oyster Plates, circa 1900
By Limoges
Located in New York, NY
Two painted in iron red and six painted in grisaille.
Porcelain
Pair of 19th French Porcelain Plates Flowers & Butterflies Limoges
By Limoges
Located in Austin, TX
Pair of 19th French Porcelain Plates Flowers & Butterflies Limoges, Passion flower and dalhias in purple , lavender tones.
Porcelain
Set of 11 French Larchevêque UML Limoges Porcelain Dessert Plates and Platter
By Limoges
Located in Atlanta, GA
A set of 11 French Marc Larchevêque UML Limoges porcelain dessert plates and platter from the 19th century, with floral garlands and gilt trim. Created in France during the 19th cent...
Porcelain
$1,200 / set
Antique French Limoges Porcelain Plates, Pair
By Limoges
Located in New York, NY
A beautiful pair of antique French Limoges porcelain plates, circa 19th century, France. Plates are predominantly a terracotta hue with a carnation pink center, and a hand-painted go...
Porcelain
French Porcelain Flowers Oyster Plate Limoges, circa 1900
By Limoges
Located in Austin, TX
French Porcelain Flowers Oyster Plate Limoges, circa 1900. 8.5 inches diameter.
Porcelain
Set of French Victorian Limoges Porcelain Plates
By Limoges
Located in Queens, NY
Set of 12 French Victorian Limoges porcelain plates with scalloped edge and gilt bird scenes. (PRICED AS SET)
$960Sale Price / set|20% Off
12 Pc, J Vieillard David Johnston Limoges "French Chateau" Plate Set
By Limoges
Located in Atlanta, GA
12 Pc, J Vieillard David Johnston Limoges "French Chateau" Plate Set A fantastic set of 12 Porcelain plates measures 8.75" each. The plates feature beautiful decorated scenes to the...
Porcelain
Small Porcelain Blue Flowers Oyster Plate Limoges, circa 1900
By Limoges
Located in Austin, TX
Small Porcelain Blue Flowers Oyster Plate Limoges, circa 1900. 7.5 inches diameter.
Porcelain
Antique Set of 10 Blue Floral Limoges Dishes for J.E. Caldwell
By J.E. Caldwell & Co., Limoges
Located in Toronto, ON
A gorgeous set of 10 antique Limgoes blue floral and gilt dinner plates made for J.E. Caldwell.
Porcelain
French Porcelain Oyster Plates with Seaweeds Limoges
By Limoges
Located in ASNIÈRES-SUR-SEINE, FR
Very rare set of French Limoges Oyster plates. Delicate and poetic, these rare plates have a central tumber for sauce / lemon. A true find.
Porcelain
$185
H 0.75 in Dm 9.5 in
Mid-Century Orfinox French Faience Mustard Yellow Seaweed Oyster Plate, 1960s
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A mid-century oyster or seafood plate, made by Orfinox, circa 1960s. A mustard yellow ground with six oyster shell shaped wells for holding the oyster, clam, or mussel meat, with ...
Faience
$3,504Sale Price / set|20% Off
Limoges Porcelain Dinner Set by F. Legrand & Cie - 68 Pieces
By L.F. Limoges
Located in LA CIOTAT, FR
This exquisite antique Limoges porcelain dinnerware set by F. Legrand & Cie showcases an exceptional polychrome and gold-accented design, embodying the timeless elegance of French cr...
Porcelain
$1,920Sale Price / set|50% Off
Vintage Limoges Porcelain Dinnerware Set - 80 Pieces
By Limoges
Located in LA CIOTAT, FR
This exquisite vintage dinnerware set, likely crafted in fine Limoges porcelain, features delicate floral patterns and gold accents. Each piece...
Porcelain
$504Sale Price|20% Off
H 2 in W 10 in D 10 in
Limoges Coronet Green Decorative Plate with Hangar, Gilt Edge
By Limoges
Located in Lomita, CA
The colors and hue of this decorative Limoges Coronet plate are stunning. Coronet Limoges is linked to porcelain ware manufactured in Europe and decora...
Porcelain
French Majolica Jugendstil Art Nouveau Ceramic Plate, circa 1900
Located in Boven Leeuwen, NL
Beautiful French Majolica wall plate from the Jugendstil / Art Nouveau period (ca 1900). Elegant design with a lovely lady in the middle. Nu...
Ceramic
37-Piece French Victorian Limoges Porcelain Dinner Set
By Limoges
Located in Queens, NY
37 Piece French Victorian Limoges porcelain dinner service with yellow border and floral trim (PRICED AS SET)
Porcelain
Oyster Plate in Majolica Green and White Color, 19th Century, France
By Longchamp
Located in Auribeau sur Siagne, FR
Oyster plate in Majolica, in white and Green color. France, 19th century.
Ceramic
$3,600 / set
H 1 in Dm 10.8 in
A Set of 12 Cobalt Blue & Raised Gilt Antique Limoges Dinner Plates Circa 1900
By William Guerin
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An attractive set of dinner or presentation plates by one of Limoges re known Gilded Age factories, William Guerin. This plate features an elaborate design of raised tooled gilding o...
Gold, Enamel
English Porcelain 'Jade' Pattern Service, Coalport, circa 1900
Located in New York, NY
Each decorated with cobalt, lime green, maroon and coral foliate motifs against a white ground. Comprising 12 dinner plates, 12 luncheon plates (one...
Porcelain
Antique French Porcelain Turquoise Oyster Plate
Located in Pearland, TX
A gorgeous antique French porcelain oyster plate attributed to Limoges, circa 1900. This fine quality oyster plate has six wells and is hand painted in a beautiful blue green teal / ...
Porcelain
$434
H 1.15 in Dm 9.45 in
19th Century Sarreguemines Majolica Seaweed and Shell Barbotine Oyster Plate
By Sarreguemines
Located in London, GB
Creating a wonderful display for Oysters or sea food this French Majolica oyster plate in lustrous deep colouring, but the well thought of maker Sarreguemines, circa 1890. Six scall...
Ceramic, Earthenware
$1,920Sale Price / set|32% Off
H 0.79 in W 15.16 in D 12.01 in
Limoges Bernardaud 62 Pieces Fine Faience Dinner Service
By Bernardaud
Located in LA CIOTAT, FR
Exquisite fine cream faience tableware set adorned with scattered roses and gold trim. The set consists of 62 pieces and would be ideal for casual dining, or would make an eyecatchin...
Faience, Paint
French Oyster Plate Porcelain Flowers Limoges
By Limoges
Located in Austin, TX
French Oyster Plate Porcelain Flowers Limoges circa 1900.
Porcelain
15 Piece Fish Set with Platter, Sauce Boat & 12 Plates, Antique Limoges Ruby
By Limoges
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A great last quarter 19th century Limoges France fish service featuring rich ruby ground, a highly shaped form and hand painting. The pieces are artist signed and have beautiful orchid and full flora fauna backgrounds. We love the vibrant color of their collars and were so happy the large fish platter...
Gold, Enamel
French Haviland Limoges 123 Piece Gold Porcelain Dinnerware Service Set
By Limoges
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Elegant French Haviland Limoges porcelain dinnerware set in the Schleiger 279 pattern, featuring a white background with a gold-trimmed rim. Haviland is a renowned French porcelain m...
Porcelain
Limoges Porcelain Dinner Set with Gold Trim, 41 Piece Circa 1930s
By Limoges
Located in LA CIOTAT, FR
This exquisite 41-piece porcelain dinner service from Limoges Unic embodies the timeless elegance of fine French craftsmanship. Created by SM Limoges and sold through their historic ...
Porcelain
Mid-Century Set of 6 French Porcelain Oyster Plate Limoges
By Limoges
Located in Austin, TX
Set of 6 French Porcelain Oyster Plate Limoges Circa 1950. Decorated with shells, starfish,fish, oyster,Shrimp.
Porcelain
4 Le Cirque Restaurant Bernardaud Limoges Monkey Service Plate 11 3/4"
By Limoges
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Bernardaud Limoges custom porcelain service plate for Le Cirque Restaurants. The plates with two monkeys picking fruit. Green border, orange trim. Dimensions: 11 3/4" W x 1" These p...
Porcelain
Set 6 Le Cirque Restaurant 11 3/4" LaFarge Limoges Green Monkey Service Plate
By Limoges
Located in Bridgeport, CT
La Farge Limoges custom porcelain service plate for Le Cirque Restaurants. The plates with two monkeys picking fruit, green border, orange trim. Made in France. Dimensions: 11 3/4" ...
Porcelain
Set Of 6 Lafarge Limoges For Le Cirque Restaurant Orange Monkey Salad Plates
By Limoges
Located in Bridgeport, CT
A set of six Lafarge Limoges custom porcelain salad plates for Le Cirque Restaurants. The plates are decorated with scenes of monkeys picking fruit along vibrant orange borders, gree...
Porcelain
Set Of 6 Lafarge Limoges For Le Cirque Restaurant Monkey Salad Plates
By Limoges
Located in Bridgeport, CT
A set of six Lafarge Limoges for Le Cirque salad plates displaying green borders with scenes of monkeys picking fruit. Dimensions: 8 7/8" W x 1" H Condition: no chips, no cracks, l...
Porcelain
Puiforcat Limoges Plate Service France Last Quarter of 1900s
By Limoges
Located in Milano, IT
Magnificent celadon-colored porcelain service painted with polychrome decoration depicting Koi carp and Chinese-inspired flowers from the Kiang She period. The service consists of so...
Porcelain
French Oyster Plate Porcelain Flowers Limoges
By Limoges
Located in Austin, TX
French Oyster Plate Porcelain Flowers Limoges circa 1900.
Porcelain
Vintage Regency Faberge Egg Limoges Plates - Set of 8
By Limoges
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Elevate your dining experience with these Vintage Regency Fabergé Egg Limoges Plates. Adorned with intricate Fabergé egg designs and crafted from fine Limoges porcelain, these plates...
Porcelain