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Porcelain has been a coveted commodity since the 13th century.ANDCentury. First produced in China during the Tang Dynasty, porcelain did not become popular in the West until the Yuan Dynasty. Since then, it has been imported from China to the West at exorbitant prices. The three main types of porcelain are real or hard-paste; artificial or soft porcelain; and Chinese porcelain. The first European soft-paste porcelain was made in Florence around 1575, but not until the end of the 17th century.ANDj 18ANDproduced in large quantities for centuries. Real porcelain was first reproduced in Europe around 1707 by Johann Friedrich Böttger at the Meissen manufactory.
GUIDE
LIMOGES PORZELLAN
Limoges porcelain: the famous "white gold" of France
Limoges porcelain, the gold standard of porcelain, is one of the finest and most desirable fine porcelains Europe has to offer. Brilliantly white, delicate, transparent and extremely robust, this porcelain offers functionality and rich porcelain artistry. Known for its variety of designs and versatile combinations, Limoges porcelain is one of the most coveted decorative arts to emerge from France.
What makes Limoges porcelain so special?
The quality of Limoges porcelain begins with the ingredients: kaolin, feldspar and quartz. These essential ingredients are all natural and found locally. Only the purest kaolin is mixed with quartz and feldspar to produce the famously brilliant “white gold”.
MAKE YOU NECKLACE
The real or hard paste is slightly grayish white in color which transmits light. Made of approximately 50% kaolin, 25% quartz and feldspar, hard-paste porcelain can withstand boiling water, which is why hard-paste porcelain is commonly used in restaurants and homes.
TON-SHOP
Earthenware is a fine, porous, glazed earthenware made in France, Germany, Spain and Scandinavia. The pewter glaze used in earthenware is a lead glaze made white and opaque by the addition of tin oxide. Faience is fired several times, resulting in a refinement and sophistication that differentiates it from other ceramics.
FINE PORCELAIN
Fine bone china is a particularly translucent, white form of bone china, which is not only considered to be of high quality, but also very resistant to breakage. The use of bone ash in its manufacture allows the creation of thin-walled pieces, with a more delicate and translucent appearance compared to other types of porcelain tiles. Although apparently the most fragile of porcelains, it is actually the strongest of porcelains.
LUXURY BRANDS
There are numerous luxury brands around the world that produce porcelain. The selection was made based on experience, media entries, customer reviews and our own knowledge.
SHEET
Described as the greatest goldsmith active in England in the 18th century. Paul de Lamerie began his eponymous career as an apprentice to a London goldsmith of Huguenot origin. In 1713 he opened his own workshop and in 1716 he was appointed goldsmith to King George I, beginning a career that would produce some of the finest cutlery the world would ever see. During the 1730s, his individual ideas and innovations led to the development of many exceptional pieces, complete with bold scrollwork, flowers and shells, which were widely recognized as his own distinctive style.
With a focus on traditional craftsmanship as an ethic and an emphasis on attention to detail and quality workmanship, De Lamerie Ltd has built the foundations of this traditional style of design by developing a complete range of china, crystal, cutlery and crockery. Crafted in the heart of Stoke on Trent pottery in England, each traditionally handcrafted piece emulates the unique characteristics of Paul de Lamerie's designs and strives to retain the essence of his previous creations.
BERNARDAUD
Since 1863, Bernardaud has showcased fashions, influences and styles across the centuries, featuring an unprecedented variety of table arrangements. Léonard Bernardaud started his career as a talented apprentice in a workshop in Limoges and expanded the company's market to the US after becoming a partner in the company 20 years after its founding. For centuries, the company has maintained the name of the Bernardaud family, with craft techniques passed down through 5 generations.
Driven by creativity, Bernardaud seeks to retain valuable technical skills, encouraging a taste for innovation and emphasizing rare and traditional techniques such as marquetry. Each of Bernardaud's expertly crafted pieces carries a rich heritage that illustrates the French way of life, blending art and tableware.
CRISTOFLE
Charles Christofle began his eponymous career as a goldsmith in 1830, transforming ceremonial objects and everyday objects. Christofle specialized in the manufacture of wire mesh since 1837 and acquired patents for silver and gold electroplating, becoming the only patent in France for 15 years. It is therefore not surprising that one of his first clients was the French King Louis Philippe I, who commissioned him with a full service for the Chateau d'Eu in Normandy. In 1855, Christofle received two prizes for his technical and artistic skill at the World Exhibition in Paris. Christofle died in 1863, leaving his son Paul and nephew Henri Bouilhet to run a thriving and rapidly growing business.
Christofle's intergenerational know-how is reflected in the brand's porcelain and crystal collections, which harmonize perfectly with the impressive silver decor. The metal bending expertise of Christofle's artisans demonstrates how a good balance of glass, china and silver can complement the grandest of tables.
HAVILANDIA
In 1838, David Haviland started a business to import china and china into New York. Fascinated by the French "white gold", Haviland crossed the Atlantic 4 years later to settle in Limoges. There he founded his own factory and became known worldwide for his innovative look.
Haviland porcelain is a true vector of the French way of life, with an exceptional prestige that has made the brand popular with royal families for 175 years. Its collections are characterized by the elegance of the decorations, with an iconic refinement in their gold or platinum finishes, certainly the result of the company's rich heritage and know-how.
J. L. COQUET
JL Coquet settled in Saint Léonard de Noblat on the banks of the Vienne and a few kilometers from Limoges in 1824 and lives in a community of generations of important French porcelain makers. Founded in 1963, ancestral and community know-how combined with semi-industrial tools to produce Limoges porcelain, known worldwide for its elegant shapes and extreme whiteness. They are recognized worldwide as makers of some of the most translucent and delicate porcelain in the world.
RAYNAUD
Raynaud's from 1849 is one of the oldest porcelain makers in Limoges. Raynaud's, the only remnant of the original Limoges houses, has been considered the best in China for centuries. Raynaud's fine china collection is characterized by the rich colors and gilded details that adorn the delicate Limoges china. Raynaud is handcrafted in France using enameling techniques that date back to the 15th century.ANDCentury and developed projects with world-famous artists such as Dali and Cocteau. Therefore, this is a brand that combines respect for tradition with bold and modern creations. It is therefore not surprising that Raynaud, recognizable by its inimitable "R" and a laurel branch, is a table brand synonymous with quality.
LOSE
Founded in 1821 by the Englishman Thomas Hall, Faïencerie de Gien specializes in earthenware. Accredited with the Living Heritage Company seal, a mark of excellence and creativity, Gien is known in France and abroad for its rich earthenware collection. In the first half of the 19th centuryANDAt the end of the 19th century, the brand was known for its octagonal white earthenware pieces. In the second half of the century, Gien became more creative as the brand went through a period of intense collaboration. Inspired by a variety of artisans, from painters to engravers, Gien's products have changed by offering exquisite decorative pieces and tableware.
during the 20thANDIn the early 20th century, Gien defeated strong competition from Italy and Portugal and emerged victorious in 1984 when the brand was revived. Today, Gien's limited edition hand-painted pieces are on timeless display in the brand's naming museum, a tribute to the brand's exceptional heritage.
IMPERIAL PORCELAIN MANUFACTURE ST. PETERSBURG
The Imperial Porcelain Manufacture (IPM) was founded in St. Petersburg in 1744 on behalf of Empress Elisabeth and has been the center of Russian porcelain art since its founding. It was the first porcelain factory in Russia and only the third in Europe. During the reigns of Alexander I and Nicholas I (1825-1855), the Imperial Porcelain Manufacture supplied tableware to almost every palace in St. Petersburg. IPM excels at propaganda art that tells the story of the layers of Russian history. From the Revolution until the years after the Revolution, the diverse art of the IPM has been at the center of Russia's modern history.
MEISSEN
As the home of the first real porcelain in Europe, Meissen has been producing porcelain of the highest quality for over 300 years. To represent the exceptional quality of Meissen porcelain and ensure its authenticity, the signature of crossed swords was introduced in 1722, making the Meissen brand one of the oldest in the world. during the 18thANDIn the 19th century, Meissen porcelain reflected the influence of East Asian porcelain art, with famous chinoiseries depicting stylized figures of plants and animals. Today, Meissen draws on a wealth of artistic inspiration, from classical mythology to nature, to create one-of-a-kind pieces that embody the craftsmanship of their creators.
HAWK PORCELANA
Falkenchina was founded in 1993 and has established itself worldwide with its elegant table sets. The brand's gold and platinum-plated porcelain is characterized by high-precision processing and filigree structures. His unique relief art can be admired in western and eastern royal houses and seats of government from St. Petersburg to Moscow and the East. The Falkenporzellan manufacture embodies the artistry of high-quality porcelain and combines tradition with unique innovation to create breathtaking porcelain.
FLOCK
Founded in 1826, Herend brings together 200 years of knowledge and experience in porcelain manufacturing. From the heart of the Austro-Hungarian monarchy, Herend has created sublime products for the crowned heads of Europe. Factory owner Mór Fischer can be credited with creating the Victoria Pattern, a floral and butterfly pattern commissioned by Queen Victoria at the Great Exhibition in London in 1851. Today, Herend's painstakingly hand-painted porcelain figurines are still made using techniques traditional crafts that produce amazing results.
MOE
Founded in 1763 by Frederick the Great, KPM Berlin stands for luxury craftsmanship, elegant design and the highest standards in porcelain production. KPM has been internationally recognized by museums, collectors and porcelain connoisseurs for 250 years. No wonder, after all, KPM porcelain is almost exclusively handmade. The manual manufacturing process and elaborate decoration techniques give each piece a unique character. The gilding, flowers, fruits, animals, landscapes and backgrounds are freehand painted by the craftsman's skilled artists.
RICARDO GINORI
For over two centuries, the Ginori Manufacture has had an extraordinary obsession with creating beauty. Marquis Carlo Andrea Ginori followed his passion for white gold and opened a porcelain factory in 1735 with the aim of transforming porcelain into pure beauty. Today, in Italy and around the world, Ginori 1735 is an expression of excellence in artistic porcelain making, capable of combining craftsmanship, creativity and attention to progress.
COPENHAGUE REAL
The Royal Danish Porcelain Manufactory was founded by Queen Juliane Marie in 1775 and has been the home of fine craftsmanship for over 200 years. Each piece features Royal Copenhagen's unique hallmark and a royal crown, highlighting the Manufacture's royal connection. As the crown seal has changed over time, it can be used to date fine china.
WOODEN WEDGE
Founded in 1759 by Josiah Wedgwood, Wedgwood began as an independent pottery workshop in Burslem, England. Having invented materials such as Jasper, Queen's Ware and Black Basalt, it's no surprise that Josiah is dubbed the "Father of English Potters". More than 260 years later, Wedgwood is known for its quality pieces and innovative British designs that bring timeless elegance to even the most modern homes.
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