Hotel Mercure Royal Limousin

City of the Famous Porcelain

by Goner

Limoges is the capital of Haute-Vienne department of the Limousin region in France. It sits on the picturesque right bank of the Vienne River. Limoges is a fascinating historic city of ancient buildings, quaint old streets, museums, gardens and galleries. It was founded in 16 BC by the Roman Emperor Augustus and first named Augustoritum after him. Today archæologies continue to unearth Roman villas and other remains.

The city is famous for its beautiful porcelain and enamels. Enamel-making started in the twelfth century and after the discovery of kaolin, a local clay, Limoges became famous for its porcelain developed from this clay and painted by artisans who migrated to this area. You can find dozens of shops selling this incredible porcelain made into serving pieces, statuary, jewelry and the famous collectible Limoges boxes. Each is a piece of art. The process of sculpting the pieces is only part of the process. Artisans actually paint watercolor designs which are transferred to the porcelain and then many processes of firing make each piece a treasure that will look the same even after 100 years of use.

Even if you're not a collector of this amazing porcelain, a visit to the local shops will make you appreciate the value of these works of art. I am fortuante to have a few pieces of this incredible porcelain made in Limoges. It was one of the hightlights of my trip to France to see so much of it.

Limoges

by Goner

"City of the Famous Limoges Porcelain"

Limoges, Limousin province, is a city, situated about 250 miles southwest of Paris in the Vienne Valley with a population around 140,000. It's famous for its ceramics industry; the city's porcelain workshops employ more than 10,000 people.

It was this world renown porcelain that made Limoges a stop during our trip through France. The shops there are like art museums, with a variety of porcelain dishes, dainty little boxes and statues, each one intrically and beautifully done - works of art.

"History of Limoges"

The 12th century Limoges was a seat of the viscounty of Limoges and in 1589 was the capital of Limousin province. It has a history of war, pestilence, and famine; in 1370, Edward the Black Prince burned the city and massacred its inhabitants. The famous Limoges enamel industry was fully developed by this time thanks to the work of Léonard Limousin. Due to the devastation during the Wars of Religion, the industry did declined, however the ruler Turgot, brought back Limoges’ prosperity in 1771 by introducing the china manufactures.

In 1768, Macquer, a Limoges chemist, had found a kind of white clay called "kaolin". By 1830, there were 30 porcelain factories. David Haviland, an American merchant, arrived in Limoges and founded his own factory. In 1880, when Haviland was awarded an International Exhibition, Limoges was the most appreciated porcelain factory in Europe and in America.