Daum...(8/4)

...et des roses sortaient des eaux, et des esprits sortaient des roses...

Footnotes of Limousin Porcelainers...(3/4)

Due to its resource of kaolin and the "entrepreneur" rituel, Limoges has since the 18th century been the most important porcelain production base in France. During its glorious era, the city contained plenty of established production houses and designers, but the keen competition and the ups and downs of external environment and market demand impacted the industry throughout time. Reviewing the development of the industries and the brand names is an interesting exercise and from the continuous merger, acquisition, rebranding, aggloeration etc of the porcelain companies, it would be a valuable illustration of how the industry has evoluted, and how the porcelain makers adapt to the change to survive...
Some important pocelainers in Limoges since the 18th century: -
1. Aaron & Valin (1771)
2. Artisanal Limoges

I bought some decorative items from their shop. Indeed, the company was set up in 1994 by Joseph Oliviera. More like a retailer and exporter, the company sells whiteware and decorated items, and their production includes miniatues, Limoges boxes, decorative items, and tableware. Around 80% of their business is export-related.
3. Aherenfeldt
4. Bapterose
5. Bernadaud
Another well known Limousin brand. It was founded in 1900, and the successful marketing and business model earned the group a stable and developed turnover.
6. Chastagner
7. Demartial & Taillandier
8. Etienne Baignol
9. Francois Alluaud
10. Francois Pouyat (1754-1838) & Jean Pouyat

Francois Pouyat invested in the Manufacture de la Courtille in Paris since 1800, and he opened a factory in Limoges in 1832 and another design workshop in Saint-Leonard in 1835. With the establishment, the factory developed to be a sizable production unit with 127 workers in 1844. Their design specialised in a whitening porcelain and the whiteware brought a trendy scene to the industry for the following 2 decades. The workshop was sold in 1904 and the factory in 1911, marking an end of the glory history of the brand in the late 19th century.
11. Gibus & Redon
An interesting success story. In 1853, Pierre Justin GIBUS (porcelain technician) set up with two friends Alpinien MARGAINE (designer) and Martial REDON (business development) the "Gibus & Cie". In two years' time, the label was presented at Exposition de Paris with other big names. The factory worked for local pocelain retailers as well as big companies like Haviland. The annual sales of the business exceeded 460 000 francs in 1864. The quality of their work was well acclaimed. Charles HAVILAND noted, "...je fais des efforts désespérés pour que notre production soit aussi bonne que celle de Gibus." The factory was severed impacted by the war between France and Germany in 1870. The thereafter economic depression killed the business. It was taken over and renamed 'Gibus & Redon' in 1872 and retook its position as the fourth largest producer having 250 workers after Haviland, Alluaud & Pouyat in the following decade.
12. Guy Degrenne
13. Haviland AND Gerard Dufraisseix & Abbot (GDA)

This is one of the longlasting Limousin porcelain companies. It began from Charles Field Haviland & Cie in 1870 and acquired the factory of Alluaud in Limoges 4 years later. The group adopted the trademark of CFM / GDM (Gerard, Dufraisseix, and Morel) in 1881. The enlightening colours with better temperature control and variation of desihn brought the mark a recognisable status.
Morel left the group in 1890, and Edgar Abbot joined 10 years later, formulating the Gerard, Dufraisseix & Abbot (GDA). GDA opened its Paris branch in 1902. In 1929 GDA purchased Haviland & Co, and later they sold the operation right to Robert Haviland & C Parlon company its CFH porcelain models as well as the round red decoration mark. This caused both group the right to use the name 'Haviland'. During its mass production era, the factory hired 487 workers in 1926 and an area of 770m3. The company allied with Lanternier in 1960's to share the facilities at Casseaux to form la Société Limousine de Gestion Porcelainière (SLGP). Royal Limoges was adopted as another name of GDA since the 1970's, and it developed to the present Royal Limoges. Also check the article "Royal Limoges" on this blog.
14. Henri Ardant (1828-1883)

15. Jammetseignolles
16. Jean Boyer
Jean Boyer commenced his business in 1920 with a small-scale porcelain factory in Limoges which produced porcelain doll heads. The production line was later turned to more traditional decorative houseware and tableware in the 1920's due to the depression. In 1988, the company was acquired by Haviland.
17. Jouhanneaud & Dubois (created in 1843)
18. Jules Lesme (works from 1852 to 1881)
The maker set up his porcelain factory since 1854 and the factory became Henri Ardant & Cie since 1858. There were 150 workers at that moment. After his death, the factory changed to R. Laport, which was acquired by A. Laternier in 1890. Major products of the factory included biscuit-ware and artware.
19. Lachaniette

20. Lantenier
21. Laporte
22. La Violette (from 1896 to 1905)
23. Legrand
24. Pierre Theraud
25. Raynaud
26. Rene Frugier

According to e-limoges.com, Frugier's porcelain ware was characterised by its high proportion of clay and the technique of 'grand feu' heating up to over 1,400C.
the brand was awared in the Exposition de Paris in 1900 and 1901. In 1910, it was rebranded to l'Aluminite, and brought its fame as producer of lab ware, refractory glass and electronic products during the First World War. L'Alumnite was grouped under Haviland in 1964.
27. Ruaud

Royal Limoges...(2/4)

I visited this 'ville de feu' last weekend at Limoges, and the fantasy of porcelain and enamel in the city raises much of my interest to the craftmanship...Royal Limoges is one of the most established porcelain manufacturers in the region, and their factory boutique showcases numerous models of their production which are very interesting. The ceramic works of the manufacturer include its created form of Recamier, Ocean, Lafayette, Riviera, Saveur, Nymphea, Fantaisie and Plisse etc. In the factory boutique, there are simply piles of plates, cups, pots and other lovely procelain tableware and houseware. One of the kilns of the manufacturer becomes a museum for visitors, and the illustrated photos and drawings brief the history of the manufacturer and some story about the birth of the fire city in Limoges after the discovery of kaolin in Saint Yrieix, a place close to the production base. Royal Limoges works for famous restaurants and brasseries like la Coupole, Fuguet's, Angelina, Haagen-Dazs, Hostellerie du Chapeau Rouge etc.

The technique of porcelain is indeed originated from China, and viewing the influence of the Chinese work to the French continent, the adapted work with a style of French romanism gives me a special feeling. The procelain in Limoges differs from that of Delft or other European production centres, and immersing in the passion of work at the city, I am touched. In addition, the Adrien Dubouche Museum is a very established procelain library of its kind, and the collections are just fantastic.

Some historic research about Royal Limoges (a.k.a. GDA):
The story began in 1816 when François Alluaud founded the porcelain factory with his brother Jean-Baptiste Clément named Alluaud Frères. They set up the 'Usine des Casseaux' at Limoges which was strategically located with kaolin from Saint Yrieux and the proximity to Port du Naveix enabled the transportation of wood for the kiln. In 1876, Charles Field Haviland, the son-in-law of François took over the porcelain house and modernised the factory, including a streaming machine for the kiln. However, the factory was acquired by Gérard Dufraisseix et Morel (GDM), or the latter GDA since 1900. During its mass production era, the factory hired 487 workers in 1926 and an area of 770m3. The company allied with Lanternier in 1960's to share the facilities at Casseaux to form la Société Limousine de Gestion Porcelainière (SLGP). This group then became Royal Limoges in 1989.