Bernardaud

Bernardaud, the French porcelain company, was founded in 1863 in Limoges, a region possessing kaolin, fresh water and forests, the key elements for creating porcelain. Michel Bernardaud, heir to five generations of porcelain manufacturers, is the current CEO and Chairman of the eponymous company, integrating the legendary heritage of Limoges porcelain into every area of modern lifestyle: decorative arts, jewellery and innovative tableware, one-of-a-kind artworks created by contemporary artists. At the Bernardaud factory, all the fine porcelain objects go through multiple steps involving many skills and great expertise, each relying on the sure hand of the craftsperson. Every artisan (whether modeller, colourist, finisher or transfer decorator) draws, shapes, enamels, assembles, decorates or inspects by hand, ensuring excellence in execution and constant transmission of ancient techniques to the younger generations.

Bernardaud’s rich industrial history of artisanal excellence was born in Limoges in 1863. Some 100 years previously, significant deposits of kaolin, one of the principal ingredients of porcelain, were discovered around Limoges. This led to the creation of the Royal Manufacture. This development paved the way for the creation of the company, when two industrialists established a factory to meet the growing demand. Within this factory was an apprentice, Léonard Bernardaud, who stood out from those around him and 20 years later was made a partner.

Porcelain Virtuosity Exhibition