Set 12 pcs. French Limoges Porcelain Espresso Cups/Saucers
About the Item
- Creator:Limoges (Manufacturer)
- Dimensions:Height: 2.13 in (5.4 cm)Diameter: 2.09 in (5.3 cm)
- Sold As:Set of 12
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:circa 1930
- Condition:Overall very good vintage condition.
- Seller Location:Vilnius, LT
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU4059335175042
Limoges
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.
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: Vilnius, Lithuania
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 3 days of delivery.
- Pair of Meissen Porcelain Coffee Cups with SaucersBy Meissen PorcelainLocated in Vilnius, LTPair of Meissen Porcelain coffee cups with saucers richly decorated with gold. Measures: Cup: h 5 x7.5 x 9 cm Saucer: 12 cm .Category
Mid-20th Century German Porcelain
MaterialsPorcelain
- Meissen Porcelain Coffee Cup with Saucer and Dessert PlateBy Meissen PorcelainLocated in Vilnius, LTMeissen porcelain coffee cup with saucer and dessert plate all richly decorated with gold. Measures: Cup: H 6 x 9 x 7.5 cm Saucer: 12 cm Dessert plate: 14 cm.Category
Mid-20th Century German Porcelain
MaterialsPorcelain
- Porcelain Chocolate Cup with Saucer by Augustus Rex Helena WolfsohnLocated in Vilnius, LTAntique porcelain Augustus Rex Helena Wolfsohn chocolate cup with saucer decorated with cobalt, gold and hand painted romantic scenes. Me...Category
Antique Late 19th Century German Porcelain
MaterialsPorcelain
- Set of 2 pcs. German Meissen Porcelain Cream and Milk Pitchers / JugsBy Meissen PorcelainLocated in Vilnius, LTSet of 2 pcs. of German Meissen porcelain cream and milk pitchers / jugs. Porcelain is white, glazes and hand painted with rich gold decor. The logo marked on the bottoms. Dimensions...Category
Mid-20th Century German Porcelain
MaterialsGold
- Empire Style Porcelain Dinner Set for 12 Persons by Richard GinoriBy Richard GinoriLocated in Vilnius, LTThe porcelain set for 12 persons is decorated with cobalt blue/gold decor handmade by Italian porcelain factory Richard Ginori. Marked: Richard Ginori, Manifattura Di Doccia Florenc...Category
Late 20th Century Italian Porcelain
MaterialsPorcelain
- French Limoges Porcelain Jewelry Box with Rich Gold DecorBy LimogesLocated in Vilnius, LTCobalt blue porcelain jewelry box richly decorated with gold decor produced by Limoges France. Marked on the bottom.Category
20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Jewelry Boxes
MaterialsPorcelain
- Limoges, France, 10 Mocha Cups with Saucers in Hand-Painted PorcelainLocated in Copenhagen, DKLimoges, France. 10 mocha cups with saucers in hand-painted porcelain. Pink flowers and gold edge. 1930s. The cup measures: 6 x 5.4 cm. Saucer diameter: 11 cm. In excellent cond...Category
Vintage 1930s French Porcelain
MaterialsPorcelain
- Contemporary Set of 2 Coffee Cups and Saucer Hand Painted PorcelainBy Coralla MaiuriLocated in Roma, RMHandcrafted in Italy from the finest porcelain, these coffee cups and saucers from the Blue Marble Collection have a warm, berry-like enamel decorati...Category
2010s Italian Modern Tableware
MaterialsPorcelain
- A set of 10 Haviland Vieux Paris Green Espresso Cups & Saucers, Limoges, FranceBy Haviland & Co.Located in Stockholm, SEHaviland Vieux Paris from Limoges is a type of fine porcelain produced by Haviland, a renowned French company known for its high-quality porcelain. Haviland was founded by American ...Category
Early 2000s French Romantic Tableware
MaterialsPorcelain
- 20th Century French Art Deco Limoges Porcelain Service Tableware 49 PiecesBy LimogesLocated in LEGNY, FRBeautiful Art deco Limoges porcelain dinner service with a yellow border and flower decoration in the middle. 49 pieces : - 31 din...Category
Vintage 1920s French Art Deco Porcelain
MaterialsPorcelain
- Tirschenreuth, Germany, 10 Porcelain Bouillon Cups with SaucersLocated in Copenhagen, DKTirschenreuth, Germany. 10 porcelain bouillon cups with saucers. Flowers and gold decoration. Mid-20th century. The cup measures: 12 x 5 cm. Saucer di...Category
Mid-20th Century German Porcelain
MaterialsPorcelain
- Set of 6 Estate English Royal Crown Derby Porcelain Demitasse Cups and Saucers.By Royal Crown Derby PorcelainLocated in New Orleans, LASet of 6 Estate English Royal Crown Derby Porcelain Demitasse Cups and Saucers. Cups: height - 2.5 inches, diameter - 2.5 inches Saucers: he...Category
Mid-20th Century English Tableware
MaterialsPorcelain