There is nothing quite like Antique Haviland Limoges China with its delicate nature and charming floral patterns. There are hundreds of patterns most with many variations of color or blank which makes identifying the pattern quite difficult.
Often times the patterns are so similar and on the same blank they appear to be the same. Look closely at the two cups and saucers pictured.
Arlene Schleiger wrote 5 books identifying many of the Antique Haviland Limoges Patterns. Her work has been continued by her daughter in law Dona Schleiger who wrote the sixth book in the series.
Arlene states in the forward of the first book - Two Hundred Patterns of Haviland China Book I - published in 1950 -
“For many years I have been specializing in Haviland China. Hence I could see the need for pattern identification.....
First, I made the following list of problems which I knew were involved;
1. The same patterns appear on different blanks. (A blank is the white china form before decoration is applied.) The same pattern appears with and without gold edge.
2. The same pattern appears with the same flowers but in different colors.
3. The flower arrangements vary. Seldom will two plates of the same pattern be exactly alike.
4. In many patterns the flowers are hard to identify. Most of them are pink. Which ones are really roses, wild roses, apple blossoms, etc.?
5. Rarely is a pattern name stamped on a piece. Only occasionally is a number stamped and then usually only on a serving dish.
6. How shall I cover the different Haviland Companies?"
The problems Ms. Schleiger encountered as she began her Haviland Pattern Identification more than a half century ago are the same problems one encounters today as a collector or as one who inherited family china.
Arlene Schleiger used saucers to identify the Antique Haviland Patterns and in the forward to Book V she states that her collection of saucers numbered over 4000 - meaning over 4000 different Antique Haviland Pattern variations!
The Schleiger books have recently been available on Ebay as the family has been liquidating the remaining stock. This is a rare opportunity to own a set of these usually very difficult to find books.
As I began to try to identify the pattern of my first set of Antique Haviland Limoges China my search led me to Dona Schleiger. Her request was I send her a saucer for identification. Soon after - I purchased my set of the original 5 books.
Arlene Schleigher has left us an invaluable resource for identifying Haviland China. However, since her books provide only black and white sketches of the patterns, identifying Haviland China Patterns still presents quite a challenge.
I will continue this discussion in further Blogs - taking you through the process I follow in Haviland Pattern Identification.
A large collection of Antique Haviland Limoges China is always available at Holly Lane Antiques.
(Click on the banner to visit Holly Lane Antiques Internet Store)
I recently bought a house and found a box of old china in the crawl space ... how can I find out more about the pattern? On the bottom it says Homer Laughlin Virginia Rose B 37 N 8?
ReplyDeleteLucky You! Sorry I don't know much about Homer Laughlin china
ReplyDeleteI've been trying to identify a particular tea cup I found at Goodwill. I'm trying to find the saucer to make a complete set for my mother for Christmas. It's pretty lightweight, it has the "antique" china feel. On the bottom has "Haviland France" in green and "Haviland & Co. Limoges" in red. I've been looking for weeks now online, and have become exhausted and fed up with not finding anything. I'm not sure if the pattern is faded, but there seems to be white flowers intertwined with pink and green vine leaves. The flowers don't seem to be roses to me, but I'm not sure. The handle has gold detail. Any help would be greatly appreciated!
ReplyDeleteMy family has a full set of 10 place settings that are marked Haviland & Co, Limoges. The pattern is, as you describe, delicate pink flowers with many of the pieces being slightly different from each other. They belonged to my great-grandmother and we would like to find a home for them. How does one go about finding a buyer without knowing a pattern name?
ReplyDeleteYou can email me pictures of the patterns and I will try to help you.
ReplyDeleteI have 3 salad plates or bread & butter plates with a floral pattern that are not roses. Here's the odd thing..two of the plates are marked the same: a green H&Co with a L under that and then France and under that is the red Haviland & Co (arched) and Limoges. The odd ball is the 3rd plate which has the same pattern, slightly darker in color and slightly larger in size.it is marked Haviland (arched) France under that and then the red Haviland & Co (arched) and France under that. There is a period after the C and a period after Limoges. All three have splashes of gold on edges. leaves are green and some blue flowers are pink with some having yellow in them. Can you help me identify them and why all 3 would be different even though they appear to have same use of the flower?
ReplyDeleteI bought a sugar jar a few years ago. It's marked Limoges France on the bottom in plain lettering. It's shaped like a mushroom with gold brushed around the edges. I'm not sure if it's an authentic piece, but I'd like to have a creamer to match. Can you help?
ReplyDeleteSorry I really cannot help you - There are many many companies in Limoges France that made beautiful china items. There is not enough information provided with a back mark with just Limoges France
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