Porcelain was invented by the Chinese in A.D. 620. and found it's way
to the west in 1292 A.D. The original European porcelain figurines were
made of pottery and were not porcelain figurines. Europeans were unable
to make pottery and porcelain figurines that were purely white until
Limoges was discovered in Limoges France.
Porcelain figurines as compared to other forms of pottery is nonporous
and translucent. Porcelain figurines are also extremely durable and
makes a ringing tone when tapped with one's finger. True porcelain must
be fired twice, one time at a low degree of Celsius and a second time
at a high degree of Celsius. Every time a new color is introduced to a
piece the porcelain figurine must have firing upon again.
A porcelain figurine piece can be fired upon up to nine times at
extremely high temperatures.
What is so special about Limoges is it's quality of porcelain. Limoges
box porcelain figurines are made of a hard paste porcelain that only
comes from Limoges France. Hard-paste porcelain has a brilliant hard
white color. It is easy to work with but must be fired at extremely
high temperatures.