A Limoges Tea Cup and Out of Africa

When women decided camping could be romantic and men were left wondering "why does she want me to wash her hair"?

     One of the Best Movies of all time is, Out of Africa.  Okay!  Maybe you don't agree with me but in my humble opinion, it is.  Loved the movie, loved the book.  One of my favorite exchanges in the film was Karen Blixen meeting Denys Finch Hatten for the first time.  The train she is traveling on, while taking her to a new life in Kenya, has stopped to meet Denys who is hunting in the African plains.  We see her exiting a train car and to her dismay, some African natives are standing atop her boxes of housewares.


Karen Blixen: Oh! get away from there! Shoo Shoo! 
Denys: Shoo? 
Karen Blixen: Oh! That's all my crystal, my Limoges. 

Watching "Out of Africa" was the first time I had heard the word Limoges...... and it would take many years later to discover what "Limoges" actually was.  

Only if you are interested:

"Following the relaxation of French laws protecting Sevres china, many high-quality china manufacturers were established in Paris toward the end of the 18th century. By 1850, most of these manufacturers relocated their operations to the Limoges area of France due to the lower rent and labor costs and the proximity to pure, white kaolin clay in the area. Limoges has continued as the primary location for porcelain production in France since that time. David Haviland, an American, established a porcelain factory in Limoges in 1842. Sons of the founder, Charles Field Haviland and Theodore Haviland, continued the family business of manufacturing porcelain. Charles Field Haviland particularly found popularity with floral designs and his porcelain became famous as an inspiration for Monet, the French impressionist painter".
Thank you eHow!

Limoges, France

Haviland Limoges Sugar and Creamer set for sale at Luncheonette Vintage on Etsy 

     Limoges can be expensive and to find a piece for $1.50 in a thrift store is unheard of.  Yes, I found a small tea cup without it's plate yesterday at Salvation Army for $1.50.  In reality, this sweet, delicate cup without it's plate diminishes it's value. But I thought the cup was pretty and worth bringing home.  It  will go up for sale at Gilded Palm! and set in my dining room cabinet until it finds a new home.

The markings on the bottom of this precious cup dates from 1890 to 1930.  Karen Blixen could have sipped tea from a cup such as this. (sold)

There are over 35,000 Haviland patterns.  

The inside motif is as lovely as the outside.

David Haviland was an American businessman who established a porcelain factory in Limoges, France.  He brought over his own artists from the States to create and paint the designs for his wares.  Haviland Limoges is the most popular porcelain coming from this region in France.

Now... shoo, shoo!  Have an amazing weekend and check out "Out of Africa" if you haven't seen it.