Sunday, July 27, 2008

Limoge

I'm the kind of person that doesn't like plastic in my house, in fact we refer to our vinyl couch as "pleather". Anyway, after deciding to invest in ceramic light switch plates, I ran across a few Limoges on E-Bay. They are marked Limoges.
Limoges is a white clay paste first discovered in China. Marco Polo named it for it's ability to retain it's pure color after firing. By the seventeen century Louis IIV ordered all silver to be melted into coins. Soon Europe discovered the imported China was to expensive, but much needed. A directive was released to anyone who could find the manufacturing of Limoges, they would be rewarded handsomely.


In 1768 Macquer, chemist for Sevres porcelain manufacturer, (state sponsored factory) discovered the white clay called "kaolin" in Limoges.



Limoges is the Capitol of Haute-Vienne in South Central France, they are known for medieval enamels on copper, 1900th century porcelain, and oak barrels used in the production of cognac.



The mining also produced metals from the kaolin and propelled Limoges to be the most popular porcelain by the late 1800.



In 1842 an American merchant, David Haviland, founded his own factory in Limoges, France. In 1880 he was awarded in the International Exhibition, son Theodore had held his own by 1890. Ever hear of Haviland china? Whoa, very costly and gorgeous.



By 1930, when the u.s. experienced a change in the global economy, elaborate Limoges production was ceased and a basic began. Still revered for it's translucent appearance and most always being hand painted, Limoges is still manufactured today, reproducing antique patterns.


You'll notice some screws are missing in my plates, that's because it came with detailed instruction to purchase "cushioned screws". The set came with a few, thank goodness because I wouldn't know where to begin!


It's a delicate thing. C & G Design.

6 comments:

tina said...

I didn't notice the missing screws until you mentioned it. Come to think of it, I am missing some at my house-from plastic covers. Oh well. Your covers are bee-uutiful!

Jean Merriman said...

They are gorgeous and fit so well. I have a couple of ceramic plates and they are so thick it is a pain to use them.

I also did not notice the missing screws and had to go back and look for them.

Very interesting post.

In my humble opinion, in a pretty room the plain ole plastic switch plates stand out like a sore thumb. I have used wallpaper on some of mine.

Dawn said...

Hi guys,
Yep, missing screws, what the heck is a cushioned screw? We have the plastic in the kids, kitchen and diningroom. I wallpapered mine in the bedroom.

Skeeter said...

Hey Dawn one of the tacky Elvis trinkets my mom gave the Saint is an Elvis switch plate! It adorns this office. I have a painted plate in the kitchen to go with the chili pepper theme.

I did not notice the missing screws either! Guess that does not matter then. LOL. Never heard of a Cushioned Screw nor has the Saint...

Dawn said...

Skeeter, I wouldn't mind if Elvis was the last face I saw before going to bed. lol!

Skeeter said...

Now thats funny! It is a picture of what I call Young Elvis looking mighty sexy in his sweater!