French porcelain manufacturing has a history of more than 300 years, with the most famous porcelain produced in Limoges in the center and Sevres near Paris. Nowadays, these two French kinds of porcelain have gone out of Europe and established their own brands, even famous all over the world.
In order to let you know more about French porcelain, we will introduce you to some common well-known French ceramic brands and companies through this article.
Emile Henry
The company was founded in 1850 in Marcigny, a small town in the French province of Burgundy, which is known for producing world-renowned wines from mineral-rich limestone soils. These soils and clays give the wines their wonderful regional character but are also an important recipe that “Emile Henry” is proud of. Burgundy clay spreads heat evenly and slowly to the center of the cooking utensils, resulting in evenly cooked and flavorful food. As a result, Emile Henry’s ceramic products have excellent heat retention properties and retain the heat and flavor of food.
Emile Henry’s product line includes bread pans, stew pans, tagine pans, and more for use in the oven, microwave, or grill. The glaze will not crack, discolor or fade, has a warranty of up to 10 years, and cleans well.
Gien
In 1821, Thomas Hall founded the Gien handcrafted pottery workshop, where he began making traditional English tableware and artwork in the small town of Gien on the Loire. Since then, Gien has produced many types of products, including utensils with their (name, family, etc.) letter combinations for over 2,600 royalty and nobility in Europe.
Since 1821, Gien has continued to create new and different styles of products based on original products and designs. These completely handmade products are works of art, and Gien’s reputation for excellence in craftsmanship has been honed in the service of French and European royalty and noble families.
Gien has three different lines of products: classic tableware, best-selling lines, and artwork.
Haviland
HAVILAND is one of the very few ceramic manufacturers that produce 100% of its ceramics from production to decoration in Limoges. It was founded in 1842 by David Haviland in Limoges, France. With its long history and top-quality craftsmanship, Haviland has become a favorite among royalty and heads of state in many countries.
In addition, many top luxury hotels are also attracted to Haviland’s porcelain, appointing Haviland to provide their own customized porcelain tableware.
It is because of Haviland’s leading position in the porcelain world that it has also attracted many famous designers and artists. For example, the collaborative collections of Alain Thomas, an important representative of the French school of contemporary naïve painting, and Barbara Barry, a famous American designer, with Haviland are popular all over the world.
Hermes
Hermès is a world-renowned luxury brand founded in 1837 by Thierry Hermès in Paris, France. In its early years, it started as a manufacturer of fine horse harnesses and has a long history of more than 170 years. Hermès is an international company faithful to traditional craftsmanship and constantly pursuing innovation. It now has 17 product lines, including bags, scarves, and ties, men’s and women’s clothing, and lifestyle art.
Also, Hermes porcelain also has a history of 60 years. And there is a very important point, Hermes porcelain is real gold and silver. Most of the porcelain gilding is painted with 24k real gold and then fired.
Sevres
Unlike other famous European kilns, Sèvres porcelain is mainly for royalty, so its production and stock are scarce. Until now, the Sèvres National Manufacture produced only 3,000 pieces per year. Most of the pieces are used by large state institutions, such as the President’s residence, the Prime Minister’s residence, the National Assembly, the House of Lords, embassies, etc.. Or as a national gift. Only some of them are sold to collectors, and very few are circulated in the market.
Sèvres porcelain is characterized by the use of bright-toned base colors and beautifully outlined outer frames for thematic motifs such as angels, flowers, fruits, or animals that harmonize perfectly with the shape of the object. Perhaps Sèvres is best known for its blue tones: bleu-lap and bleu-céleste. in addition, the porcelain is also praised for its rich, three-dimensional gilding. In addition to the multiple processes through which the gold is sanded and polished to create a matte texture, the tools are then finally used to create intricate and delicate patterns.
Bernardaud
Bernardaud is the luxury of French porcelain. Since its establishment in 1863, Bernardaud has been developing and continuing as a family business, manufacturing porcelain in Limoges, the capital of French porcelain. For over a hundred years, Bernardaud has been pushing the boundaries of porcelain manufacturing by innovating ideas and advancing techniques. Today, it has a number of enduring collections and a diversification of its products. These include tableware, decoration, lamps, jewelry, custom-made containers, architectural design, limited edition artworks, etc.
In addition, Bernardaud has collaborated with many international specialty restaurants, luxury hotels, manor houses and castles, and renowned chefs. In addition to a collection of boutique products for professionals, Bernardaud also offers custom services, providing design and technical solutions for different categories of dining venues.
Royal Limoges
Royal Limoges is the oldest surviving porcelain factory in Limoges, founded in 1797. 200 years of traditional techniques and the disappearance of maintaining state-of-the-art technology have made them one of the few family-owned businesses in the region.
Today, the company continues to use an exclusive recipe of clay and to print onto porcelain designs specially designed by fashion experts or designers from all over the world. In order to maintain their consistent quality standards, they have a highly sophisticated factory in Le Dorat. This also adds considerably to the technology and skills of their traditional work.
Royal Limoges has always focused on quality, creativity, and productivity, selling the famous collection of porcelain made and decorated at Limoges. Their products have been distributed throughout the world in hotels and private restaurants.
Pillivuyt
PILLIVUYT is a famous French porcelain workshop. for 200 years, the PILLIVUYT brand has combined handcrafted and mechanical techniques with the development of patented technologies, mainly at the service of individuals and professionals. With its long history, the PILLIVUYT brand has always maintained and spread the excellence of French craftsmanship throughout the world.
Deshoulières
Deshoulières is one of the high-end French porcelain brands. Today it has a long history of more than 100 years. It always insists on 100% French production.
In 2012, the French government awarded it the title of “Vibrant Heritage Company”, once again recognizing Deshoulières’ outstanding contribution to French craftsmanship and cultural and artistic heritage.
Deshoulières has become one of the leading porcelain brands in France and in Europe, thanks to the ability of the descendants of the Deshoulières family not only to pass on their hereditary craftsmanship but also to remain innovative.
In addition to these porcelain brands, which are 100% produced in France, there are many other world brands that are also popular in France.
Becasa Porcelain
Becasa Porcelain is a young porcelain manufacturer. Although they have only 20 years of manufacturing experience, their products have been sold to more than 60 countries around the world. With the design concept close to life, they created a series with the concept of modern porcelain. On the other hand, their products are also made with the user’s lifestyle in mind. Plus, Becasa porcelain is fired at over 1320 degrees, making it strong and durable.
And, starting in 2020, they started promoting and selling under their own brand “The Becasa“. The product lines range from tableware, tea sets, and home decor to ceramic lamps.
In addition, Becasa Porcelain also cooperates with many international specialty restaurants, luxury hotels, and well-known chefs. In addition to offering a range of boutique products for professionals, Becasa Porcelain also offers customization services, providing design and technical solutions for different categories of catering establishments.
Arabia
Two of Finland’s most famous and respected design brands are Iittala and Arabia, which have a long and vibrant history and are as much a part of the Finnish image as the Northern Lights, Santa Claus, saunas, and Moomin.
Arabia specializes in ceramics, while Iittala is known for its beautiful and unique glassware. As Finland’s national tableware, Arabia pays great attention to the quality and practicality of its products. What really made more people know Arabia and fall in love with it was the collaboration with the Finnish cartoon character MOOMIN, whose vivid image also gives Arabia’s ceramics another cute side.
Rörstrand
Rorstrand porcelain originated in 1726, that is, the world’s top porcelain brand, is also the second oldest famous kiln in Europe. In addition, it is the Swedish royal family-designated porcelain tableware supplies, Rorstrand will be the so-called containers, dining porcelain reinterpretation, to give the tableware Nordic characteristics. And 300 years of development history makes it synonymous with high quality and sophistication. It is also a classic collection of ceramic design history.
Villeroy & Boch
With a glorious history of 265 years, Villeroy & Boch, the top German tableware brand, firmly occupies the high-end tableware market in Europe with its outstanding design, professional technology, and high-quality products. In addition, Villeroy & Boch products perfectly combine timeless French classic design with traditional German quality. Not only are carefully selected raw materials used, but also the employees need to be skilled in a variety of handcrafted techniques in order to create German-quality Villeroy & Boch porcelain.
Wedgwood
In its 260-year history since its founding in 1759, Wedgwood has become a symbol of the world’s most traditional English ceramic art. It is as revered as a British heritage from all quarters. It is also because of its excellent quality and exquisite design that it has been a supplier of porcelain to the British Royal Family. In addition, Queen Elizabeth II and her son Prince Charles have given Wedgwood the royal seal of approval as a supplier.
Royal Copenhagen
Royal Copenhagen, officially known as the Royal Porcelain Factory, was founded in Copenhagen in 1775 under the patronage of Queen Juliane Marie of Denmark. Each piece of porcelain is traditionally hand-painted by ceramic artists. A high degree of artistic sophistication combined with exquisite and elegant design carefully produced porcelain in the rare treasures. When you hold a Royal Copenhagen porcelain piece in your hand, you can’t help but feel the masterpiece that took 30 steps and was completed by more than 30 artists and craftsmen.
