Painting porcelain is an age-old art form loved and admired around the world. Painting on miniature French porcelain Limoges boxes, is a specialized and niche art form that is an exquisite fine art in itself.
For centuries, Chinese hand-painted porcelain was the standard of this art form which was revered and collected worldwide. Especially throughout Europe, the royalty had a great fascination with hand-painted Chinese porcelain and collected vast numbers of porcelain tableware and decorative arts. Great examples of Chinese porcelain is on display in various palaces, chateaux and great houses in Europe today.
When kaolin (the main ingredient in porcelain paste) was first discovered in Limoges, France in the 1770s, it opened a gateway for porcelain craftsmen and artists to create magnificent porcelain creations.
Soon, Limoges, France became the source for producing high quality translucent porcelain and various French artisans began painting on the porcelain, creating magnificent porcelain art pieces.
A highly-detailed hand-painted miniature porcelain Limoges box of an Egyptian Sarcophagus with
detailed painted Mummy inside. The Limoges box painting features multi-color designs over
matte 24K Gold. The interior of the Limoges sarcophagus is hand-painted with shiny 24K Gold.
Painting on porcelain became the fashion of the day in all of Europe. Everyone who could afford such elegant fineries had to have painted Limoges porcelain as tableware and decorative arts in their homes.
This art form was not only collected by the nobility of the time, painting porcelain became one of the arts that any accomplished young lady had to possess. During the Victoria era, the affluent segment of society in Europe and the United States sent their young ladies to France to acquire this art form and add it to their accomplishments.
The Art of Miniature Painting on Porcelain Limoges Boxes
As fantastic as painting on porcelain tableware is, painting on miniature French Limoges porcelain boxes requires a different level of artistry and expertise.
A beautiful example of a highly-detailed hand-painted Limoges box of white doves on a
cherry blossom branch. The interior has a detailed painting of a bird nest with
cherry blossoms as well as a removable porcelain dove.
The artist must have a good eye for creating exceptional artwork on tiny porcelain shapes. Creating designs and images that will be beautiful in such miniscule sizes is a true art form possessed by very few. Today, there are only a few exceptional master artists remaining in Limoges who can create these works of art to perfection.
A porcelain artist must master an array of essentials and know a variety of art rules as well as having years of experience before he or she is considered qualified to paint on French Limoges boxes offered for sale.
These art rules include color theory, light theory, perspective and balance, just to name a few.
Knowledge of Paint Pigments
A working knowledge of chemical formulas, mixing paints and mineral pigments as well as their application is one of the essentials for a Limoges porcelain artist.
The artist must understand what chemicals can be mixed together, applied together, applied next to each other, or applied over each other in order to obtain the best colors and avoid burning any of the pigments when fired.
Knowledge of Firing Temperatures
Another fundamental area of knowledge the porcelain artist must possess is the kiln firing temperatures for various paints and pigments. A thorough knowledge of temperatures appropriate for firing various pigments is an absolute essential for the porcelain artist.
Each paint pigment or mineral has a different temperature tolerance. Some pigments must be fired at much higher temperatures. The artist must have a clear and precise understanding of all these elements to make sure the porcelain or any pigments applied will not melt, sag or break and paints that have differing heat tolerances will be fired to their optimum quality on the porcelain Limoges box.
To get the best results and a vibrant finished product, the porcelain artist must paint the piece in exactly the correct order with the paint pigment requiring the highest firing temperature first, then graduating to to the pigment with the lowest temperature requirement.
Artistic Ability
Each porcelain artist has his or her own style and artistic flair. That is why no two Limoges boxes hand-painted by different artists are ever alike.
Some Limoges artists are excellent in painting miniature animals or flowers. Others excel in painting miniature faces on miniature human characters. That is why the work of certain artists in Limoges is highly valued and employed by importers and top Limoges brands.
The complexity and intricacy of hand-painted (peint main) French porcelain Limoges boxes truly make them an outstanding art form. The complicated and labor-intensive process required for mixing and applying paint pigments one-at-a-time, firing the porcelain numerous times, as well as the great level of artistry, expertise and experience required for the French artisans to create these exquisite miniature works of art, more than provide reasoning why these miniature beauties are in such great demand.
When you collect a French porcelain Limoges box, you are collecting a spectacular miniature unique work of art.
At LimogesCollector.com we are proud to offer one of the largest selections of exceptional and highest quality French Limoges boxes in numerous styles and themes. We continually add new items to our Limoges collection offered, from the latest creations directly from Limoges, France, to hard-to-find and out-of-production Limoges boxes so you can create a truly unique and one-of-a-kind collection.
To the delight of avid Limoges collectors, our collection also includes many exclusive Limoges box styles as well as rare Limoges boxes to add to your collection as a crowning addition!
So, take a few moments and browse our great selection of fine French Limoges boxes. We are confident that you will find many pieces you will love to add to your collection today.
