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.