Limoges is a city in the Limousin region of France. It became famous in the 18th Century due to the kaolin found in its rich soil able to produce the perfect mix of elements to create fine porcelain dishes, plates, center pieces, dinnerware and the French Limoges Porcelain Boxes that would make this city famous all over the world.
Going back in history, we find the first porcelain pieces coming from China. In France, a soft paste porcelain production was started in 1600s trying to find a similar item as the porcelain that had arrived to the old continent from Asia. The French realized that the paste had to be fired at very high temperatures and found the earth surrounding the city of Limoges had the same minerals found at the mount Kao-Ling in China. A German alchemist discovered the perfect mix to produce the base for the white mold of the Limoges porcelain box as we know it today in the earlies 1700s.
The city of Limoges was already the home of very artistic pottery making and by the late 1700s Mr Turgot who was King Louis XVI's businessman realized its importance for the economic development of the country.
The first Limoges porcelain plates and dinnerware were made under commission of the Royal Court of France. The first plates had to be marked with royal crests or initials.
Sevres was the Royal porcelain factory. Limoges porcelain became Limoges Royale as it was basically commisioned by the court.
The French Fleur de Lys was the symbol used to stamp the Limoges porcelain items in those days.
The French Revolution was the end of this exclusive royal commission type of industry. By the end of the 18th Century the Limoges industry started making progress with a commercial independent business sense. Limoges saw the establishment of many Limoges factories and creative designs would be allowed from that day on. The later part of the 19th Century can be considered the booming time for Limoges as international interest increased and production of Limoges dinnerware and Limoges porcelain improved with better techniques
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The French Revolution was the end of this exclusive royal commission type of industry. By the end of the 18th Century the Limoges industry started making progress with a commercial independent business sense. Limoges saw the establishment of many Limoges factories and creative designs would be allowed from that day on. The later part of the 19th Century can be considered the booming time for Limoges as international interest increased and production of Limoges dinnerware and Limoges porcelain improved with better techniques.
Since 1985, with our first mail order catalogue we have been bringing you the finest European collectibles hand crafted by artists discovered all over Europe. The city ofLimoges has always been special for us and the artists continue to produce the best inspired designs of handpainted porcelain boxes adapting them to the themes and colors of the times. Please take a little tour of our website and visit ourLimoges porcelain boxes sections where you will find a great variety of French Limoges porcelain hinged boxes coming from the best artists of the city ofLimoges,France.
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