Antique Limoges

Antique Limoges
what, where, or who is GAO, France?

I have an Antique China dish with the markings GAO/France and inside red circular reaf, 3DA Limoges

If you suspect it is old and may have any value, you can have it appraised for free in Paris and I know they also do it by mail. You just need to take good quality pictures of it and write a description of the object, how you got it, etc.

http://www.antiquaires-drouot.com/web/cyvzgpnx_00.01.01.06.0000_plan_.html

http://www.drouot-expertise.fr/

If you don't know anyone that speaks French, send them an e-mail saying that:

Madame, Monsieur,

Je souhaiterais obtenir des informations sur un plat en porcelaine que je possède et qui comporte les inscriptions suivantes: GAO/France et dans un cercle rouge, l'inscription 3DA Limoges.

Je n'habite pas en France et ne parle pas français (quelqu'un a traduit ce texte pour moi), puis-je envoyer une description de l'objet en anglais? Comment puis-je obtenir une estimation de cet objet?

Avec mes remerciements,

(Your name here)

Insert a couple of pictures with close-ups of the markings in your e-mail.

If they reply in French and you don't understand the answer, post it here, someone will translate it for you.

In any case, you can also check this site:

http://e-limoges.com/marks.php

Or check the Antiques Road Show's website

Antique Victorian Haviland Limoges Porc. Chocolate Cup $18.00

5397: LIMOGES Antique Platter Tray ROSES Gold Trim 16" $295.00

Antique B & H Limoges Haind Painted Swan Charger Plate $110.00

LIMOGES Antique Hand Painted Floral Urn/Vase HandSigned $1,500.00

Antique Porcelain Limoges Cherub Vase Pitcher Ewer Jug $63.98

Antique Porcelain Limoges Portrait Cameo Plate Parabere $248.75

6 Antique Cabinet Plates Limoges Carlsbad Eglantine + $8.00

ANTIQUE LIMOGES MAVALEIX TEA / COFFEE/ CHOCOLATE POT $149.00

Antique Delinieres Limoges Pickard Sugar Bowl $50.00

Antique Limoges, Delinieres & Co. Creamer 1894-1900 $50.00

T&V Limoges Pickard Antique Tea Cup/Saucer 1879-1900 $50.00

~RARE ANTIQUE LIMOGES CHINTZ DEMITASSE TEA CUP SAUCER $39.99

FABULOUS Antique Limoges Handpainted Plaque Vanity Tray $71.25

Antique Limoges Bowl $150.00

Antique Limoges Cider Pitcher $200.00

Antique French Limoges Serving Bowl Gilt Medallion Crms $39.99

AWESOME ANTIQUE LIMOGES ELEGANT FRUIT BOWL SET $50.00

OUTSTANDING ANTIQUE LIMOGES PLATE WITH POPPIES $45.00

19th C ANTIQUE LIMOGES DRAGONFLY CABINET PLATE SIGNED $380.00

ANTIQ JEAN POUYAT LIMOGES HAND PAINTED ANTIQUE PITCHER $220.00

Niel Diamond: a Friendship Remembered

My story begins as I ETS'd (End of Time Served), from the USAF (United States Air Force), while living in Las Vegas, and continued to live there another 6 years thereafter. This would have been in the mid 1980's, and I was anticipating working something non-Air-Force, if you know what I mean: I kinda wanted to put the laundry out on the clothes line a little longer than usual, that's all, to just let the wind infuse and permeate the fabric, get the military smell out; not that it was a bad smell though, just different. I just wanted something different. So, I went, and took, and passed the test, and when people asked where I worked, or what I did, I could say “I am a letter sorter with the USPS (United States Postal Service), man!” Well, that only lasted for six months; as I couldn't 'pass muster', that is, complete the last requirement to become a LSM (Letter Sorting Machine—my life sure was filled with acronyms and tests it seems) Operator, but was able to later get on and do OK later as a Mail Carrier.

Between the two Post Office stints, I opened an Antique Shop with a good friend who was, well... into antiques. I didn't know too much about antiques at the time, but applied myself and took-to reading anything and everything about them I could find. I learned about Tiffany, Gustav Stickley, and Limoges; about Morris chairs, depression glass, Art Glass, old railroad watches, Lionel trains, and oil paintings. We even delved into collectibles like Coca-Cola, Pepsi, Hires Root Beer, and the like.

We did pretty good for a while, peddling our Antiques And Collectibles, until our personality differences got in the way, and we closed up shop; or I did anyway. But, while we were still peddling, earlier on, John (I prefer to keep his name anonymous) opened up to me one day, and confided in me that he was best friends with a celebrity I might know. I said “yeah right, you know Don Johnson?” he was pretty big at the time, I think. “No, A musician”, he said, and I started naming off names--none of them right, so he finally told me “Neil Diamond”. Well, although I wasn't a die-hard fan—I was more into Rock-n-Roll, with favorites like: Boston, The Eagles, Styx, Fog Hat etc., not Pop—I knew a little Diamond; songs like Cherry, Cherry, Kentucky Woman, Shiloh, Forever In Bluejeans, Sweet Caroline and a song I loathed at the time, Turn On your Heart Light, which played continuously on the local radio station at the time, came into mind, but I was still duly impressed...

Finishing reading here: http://greg-inman.livejournal.com/

The history of Limoges china manufacture can be traced back to 1771 when the activity was placed under the supervision of Royal Prince Comte d'Artois, brother to King Louis Xvi. The Limoges region was previously producing a type of plain earthenware referred to as 'faience' until the discovery of kaolin and a material similar to petuntse was made at Saint-Yreix-la-Perche. These are the two materials that are used to make hard-paste French china which bears much similarity to China porcelain. Mining of these raw materials commenced in 1768, leading up to the aforementioned start of porcelain manufacture three years later.

In the years after the French Revolution the control of Limoges china production was shifted from the Royalty and was taken over by private factories. Several of these set up shop in Limoges and amongst the most notable were Haviland, Pouyat, Ahrenfeldt, Elite and Guerin. It is worth noting that the term 'Limoges porcelain' makes reference to all items of French china that are made in and around the town of Limoges.

Limoges pieces are a fine example of exquisite French artwork and as is common with any desirable work of art there is a perpetual threat from counterfeit production. French china experts may be required to ascertain the authenticity of Limoges porcelain pieces but some of the distinguishing elements, with reference to decoration, are quite discernible even to the inexperienced eye. The said decoration aspect may be done in three different ways i.e. under the glaze (through Hand Painting or by using decal transfers between the first and second glazing), above the glaze, or both techniques.

It is quite rare to find the finest pieces of antique Limoges china except when these are being shown by established collectors. Some of the best collections are owned by the Haviland Collector's International Foundation, Christie's Auction House and Sotheby's Auction House. All three collectors are esteemed for their reliable research and expertise in these fine items of French artwork.

Visitors to public exhibitions of Limoges porcelain history should mostly expect to see work of art that was produced in the Haviland Limoges factory. This is because the factory specialized in the production of porcelain dinnerware which was quite easy to stash away safely during the various upheavals that have occurred down the centuries. These items of Paris art are typically adorned using the under-glaze technique or with decorations that depict garlands or flower-wreaths. Fruit patterns are also quite common. The rarest antique Limoges porcelain work of art is one that depicts humans and/or animals i.e. figurative decoration. It is even rarer to find such French artwork that is based on landscape decoration.

Like many a work of art, the most valuable of these items of fine French china are the older ones. This is because the Limoges china of old was always hand-painted unlike the newer items that aren't always decorated in a similar manner. The other aspects that add great appeal to this French china are the translucency and lighter weight compared to other types of china. These desirable qualities are achieved through the use of highly refined china that is subsequently fired and re-fired at increasingly higher temperatures.