Set of 5 Porcelain Snails Knife Limoges, circa 1930
By Limoges
Located in Austin, TX
Set of 5 Porcelain Snails Knife signed Limoges, circa 1930.
1930s French Art Deco Vintage Limoges More Dining and Entertaining
Ceramic, Porcelain
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.
Set of 5 Porcelain Snails Knife Limoges, circa 1930
By Limoges
Located in Austin, TX
Set of 5 Porcelain Snails Knife signed Limoges, circa 1930.
Ceramic, Porcelain
$10,154 / set
1890 Limoges Porcelain Wild Birds Set for 12 People
By Limoges, E. Bourgeois
Located in Paris, FR
Very unusual with a deep blue sky in the background and wonderful colors, this antique Limoges set for 12 people is made with the finest quality Li...
Gold
$1,200Sale Price|35% Off
Immaculate Set of Six French Limoges Oyster Plates
By Limoges
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Elegant and Classic, this Limoges oyster plate is contoured for 5 oysters, and features a charming pattern of pink and purple flowers with a brushed gold rim. Plate measures about 8 and 5/8" in diameter and an inch in depth. These plates are in immaculate condition, see photos. Mark features round "Limoges" stamp around GDA France...
Porcelain
Black and White After Leger Limoges Porcelain Plates Vintage Pair of Vintage
By Limoges, (after) Fernand Léger
Located in North Miami, FL
This pair of lithographic black and white Porcelain plates is by a design after Leger manufactured by Limoges France. They are vintage...
Porcelain
Set of 12 French Victorian Limoges Porcelain Plates
By Limoges
Located in Queens, NY
Set of 12 French Victorian red and white Limoges porcelain plates with gold trim. (PRICED AS SET)
Porcelain
Limoges Pocelain Louveciennes 'Stamp' France, Set of 9 Pieces
By Limoges
Located in Verviers, BE
This is a set of 9 pieces Limoges Louveciennes porcelain with hand applied gold highlights and Flowers decoration Cute additions for a formal table. Limoges is one of the best porce...
Porcelain
Set of 6 Green, Le Cirque N.Y. Custom Bernardaud Limoges Salad Plate
By Bernardaud
Located in Bridgeport, CT
From pasta primavera to world-renowned decadent desserts, Le Cirque's ubiquitous reputation for presenting its fine dining fare with whimsy and fun, landed it on the map of must-dine...
Porcelain
$3,800 / set
H 0.79 in W 3.94 in D 0.79 in
Set of 12 Fine French Art Deco Silver Plated "Gallia" Knife Rests by Christofle
By Gallia, Christofle, Marcel Eduoard Sandoz
Located in Long Island City, NY
Set of 12 fine French Art Deco silver plated knife rests designed by Edouard-Marcel Sandoz for the Gallia collection of Christofle. All 12 animals are different. Original case. Aver...
Silver Plate
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
Set of Two Limoges France Oyster Plate French Vintage Porcelain
By Limoges
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A set of 2 vintage French oyster plates. Each oyster plate features 6 wells for oysters. They are marked at the back. Nice addition to you...
Porcelain
French Porcelain Oyster Plate Limoges Circa 1900
By Limoges
Located in Austin, TX
French Porcelain Oyster Plate Limoges Circa 1900.
Ceramic, Porcelain
$1,201 / set
H 1.97 in W 20.08 in D 13 in
14-Piece Set Fish Service - Bernardaud Limoges Porcelain - 1920's
By Limoges, Bernardaud
Located in Casteren, Noord-Brabant
A beautiful porcelain fish service, complete for 12 people, from the French brand Bernardaud Limoges. The service is beautifully decorated with various images of fish, in a romantic ...
Porcelain
Set of 12 Porcelain Shells by Giovanni Garibaldi for Richard-Ginori
By Giovanni Gariboldi
Located in New York, NY
In the 1920s Gio Ponti, who defined 20th century Italian design, was the art director of Richard-Ginori, a venerable porcelain company established in the 18th century. When Ponti moved on in 1930, his protégé Giovanni Gariboldi, who also designed furniture and interiors, filled the vacated position. It would seem that Gariboldi found his model for these shell-shaped dishes in nature, but this is not the case. Rather, he channeled the essence of “shellness," and endowed his design with the faux verisimilitude of delicate ribbing along the scalloped edge. Yet he had them glazed in improbable candy-like pastel colors of pink, yellow, and blue. Originally used principally as ashtrays, no doubt, they could also be put to use as serving dishes for nuts and candies, or as decorative tabletop objects...
Porcelain
$300
H 1.25 in W 5.5 in D 5 in
Limoges French Porcelain Sea Shell Dish W/ Hand Painted Lily-of-The-Valley Motif
By Limoges
Located in New York, NY
Limoges white porcelain sea shell dish with hand painted lily-of-the-valley and butterfly design, c. mid 20th century, France. Signed Limoges France on ...
Porcelain
Haviland Limoges Gilt Porcelain Coffee / Tea Service for 12
Located in Tarry Town, NY
Late 20th century Haviland, Limoges France gilt porcelain tea / coffee service for twelve people. Each piece is great condition. Marks (Tower) Haviland Limoges, France undersigned. Alltogether 27 pieces. Set include 12 tea / coffee cups 4" x 2.3". 12 tea / coffee saucers...
Gold
12-Piece Porcelain Tea Set - Limoges - White and Gold
By Limoges
Located in Casteren, Noord-Brabant
A beautiful porcelain tea set, made by the French brand Limoges. Classic design, fine white porcelain with gold trims, inlaid with greek motif. - teapot 20 cm tall - milk jug 11 cm...
Porcelain
$22,231 / set
H 17.33 in W 29.53 in D 20.48 in
Salvador Dali Service Porcelain 113 Pieces 1977 Limited Edition N°577/1000
By Salvador Dalí
Located in Paris, FR
Salvador Dalí (1904-1989) world-famous Spanish painter, graphic artist, and sculptor of surrealism designed this Ceramic edition Painted Porcelain with 24-karat gold rim, complete service for 12 in a fitted trunk in 1977. Plates are signed on front and back, and inscribed number n°577/1000. Porcelain Brand Schirnding Porzellan AG in Bavaria Germany Each piece is decorated with mermaids flanked by red coral, Dali's signatures and small symbolic depictions of a fisherman, an ant, a snail, a sailboat, a nude maiden and a bird, with gilded rims. Complete service of 113 pieces for 12 persons in fitted trunk composed : 12 large plates: Diameter 24.5 cm 12 small plates: Diameter 20 cm 12 soup plates: Height 4 cm; Diameter 23 cm 12 soup bowls + 12 saucers : Height 5.5 cm; Diameter 11.5 cm 12 bowls cereal or fruits bowl: Height 4.5 cm; Diameter 14 cm 2 terrines: Height c. 15-17 cm; Inner diameter: c. 12.5-14.5 cm 1 underdish 1 round serving tray: Diameter 30 cm 2 serving bowls: Height 6.5-7.5 cm; Inner diameter 18-21 cm 2 dishes: Dimensions: 21 x 34 cm; 22 x 35.5 cm 2 sauceboat with 1 saucer h 8 cm 1 coffee pot: Height c. 23 cm 1 teapot with warmer...
Porcelain
$3,427 / set
H 1.19 in Dm 9.85 in
Dinner Plates Hand Painted by Froment-Richard for Creil & Montereau circa 1880
By Creil et Montereau
Located in Paris, FR
Table set for 12 people "Le Parisien" by Creil & montereau. 12 different patterns with children playing with vegetables, eggs, frogs, nuts, snails, etc. Creil & Montereau marks with ...
Ceramic, Faience
Limoges France Knife Rests, Set of 10 Animal Pieces
By Limoges
Located in Verviers, BE
This is a set of 10 pieces in porcelain with hand applied gold highlights Cute additions for a formal table. Limoges is one of the best porcelain factories in France. Please don't ...
Porcelain
Sold
H 1.78 in W 4.34 in D 0.79 in
Limoges 'Signed' France Knife Rests, Set of 12 Pieces and with Decorators Mark
By Limoges
Located in Verviers, BE
This is a set of 12 pieces in porcelain with hand applied gold highlights and bearing the decorators mark. Cute additions for a formal table. Limoges is one of the best porcelain fac...
Porcelain
Sold
H 9.85 in W 24.02 in D 10.63 in
Limoges Fish Set for 12 Richly Decorated Hand Painted Porcelain, 19th Century
By Limoges
Located in Paris, FR
Exceptional limoges porcelain fish service for 12 people. With wonderful colors, this antique Limoges set is made with the finest quality by t...
Gold
Limoges Cobalt and Gold Salad or Dessert Plates, Set of 12
By Limoges
Located in Pasadena, CA
This is a superb set of 12 Limoges Cobalt rimmed dessert or salad plates. The scolloped rims of the plates are further enhanced by wide gold detailing. ...
Porcelain
Sold
H 11.25 in W 7.5 in D 7.5 in
Exquisitely Painted Large Delinieres Limoges French Porcelain Ovoid Shaped Vase
By Delinieres & Co. 1, Limoges
Located in Tustin, CA
Exquisitely handmade and hand painted, large antique porcelain ovoid shaped vase by Delinieres Limoges France is hallmarked by the maker and signed ...
Porcelain
Luscious Set of 12 French Limoges Appetizer Plates
By Limoges
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Beautiful set of 12 Limoges 6" round appetizer dishes having striking black backgrounds with assorted vegetables including eggplant, corn, artichokes, tomato...
Porcelain
Antique French Raspberry and Gold Limoges Porcelain Oyster Plate, circa 1890s
By Limoges
Located in New Orleans, LA
Antique French hand painted raspberry and gold Limoges porcelain oyster plate signed "L.S.&S., Limoges", circa 1890s.
Porcelain
Sold
H 5 in W 4 in D 10 in
Limoges 'Signed' France Knife Rests, Set of 15 Pieces and with Decorators Mark
By Limoges
Located in Verviers, BE
This is a set of 15 pieces in porcelain with hand applied gold highlights and bearing the decorators mark. Cute additions for a formal table. Limoges i...
Porcelain
Antique French Louis Strauss & Sons Limoges Oyster Plate Hand Painted circa 1900
By Limoges
Located in New Orleans, LA
Antique French Louis Strauss & Sons Limoges oyster plate hand painted, circa 1900.
Porcelain
Haviland France Porcelain Small Dishe Set Limoges, 4
By Limoges
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
Set of four French white porcelain dishes. Beautiful pieces with scalloped edges and gold rims.
Porcelain
Set of Ten Limoges Oyster Plates
By Limoges
Located in New York, NY
Set of ten Limoges oyster plates. Ten painted and gilt trimmed oyster plates for six oysters with central sauce wells painted in rose (2), violet (3), blue-green (3), and yellow (2)....
Porcelain