The manufactory of hard-paste Limoges porcelain was established by Turgot in 1771. Limoges had been the site of a minor industry producing plain faience earthenwares since the 1730s, but the first identified French source of kaolin and a material similar to petuntse, the ingredients used for the production of hard-paste porcelain similar to Chinese porcelain, were discovered at Saint-Yrieix-la-Perche, near Limoges.
The term "Limoges porcelain" or "porcelaine de Limoges" describes the porcelain made by manufacturers situated in and around the town of Limoges. They include Raynaud, Medard de Noblat, Robert Haviland and C. Parlon, Haviland, Philippe Deshoulières, Royal Limoges, Bernardaud and others. “Limoges porcelain” therefore represents the name of the town where it was made and is not a brand name.
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