Quick Facts About Limoges Porcelain

Limoges was produced by a number of factories in France from the late 1700s until around 1930.

When valuing a piece, looking at the quality of the decoration can often be more important than determining the age.

From the mid-19th century to the beginning of the Great Depression, Haviland Limoges dinnerware was extensively marketed in America.

There are currently few Limoges reproductions on the market.

Valuing Limoges

Questions to ask when valuing Limoges items:

• What is the Quality of Decor
• Does it have High Quality Hand Painting
• Is is signed by the Artist
• Were transfers used in the decoration

Naturally, with some of the Limoges pieces being decorated by amateurs, collectors sometimes notice a variation in the quality of the décor. When valuing Limoges pieces, this should be taken into consideration. High quality hand painting holds more value than the work of an unskilled porcelain painter. And if a skillfully decorated piece is signed by the artist, it can be worth even more.

Some pieces of Limoges porcelain were decorated with transfers as well. These transfers were decals of sorts that mimicked hand decorating and were often combined with techniques executed by hand. Even a beautifully transferred piece will hold more value than a poorly executed hand-decorated item. Generally, however, collectors prefer hand decorated pieces and will pay premium prices to procure a nice example.