Raynaud's know-how

The magic of white gold

Raynaud's craftsmen use rare skills that have been passed down from master to student since the founding of the company in 1911 

Modelling

It all starts in the Raynaud modelling workshop, which works in close collaboration with the design team. The original model of each new piece is shaped by hand by our master modellers. The process is long and complex because, without sacrificing aesthetics, they must anticipate the shrinkage due to the evaporation of water during the successive firings by calculating proportions 12 to 14% greater than those of the final piece. Finally, a matrix or "mother" is made, from which the production moulds will be made.

These moulds and tools are then passed on to a factory with the IGP Limoges label, with which Raynaud has had a historical link for several decades. The white porcelain pieces are made there according to very strict specifications and quality criteria strictly defined by Raynaud.

The refinement of the decor

It is no coincidence that the IGP label "Porcelaine de Limoges" has been awarded to Raynaud as a decorator, thus enhancing its exceptional know-how as a designer and colourist. Raynaud marks its difference and the exceptional quality of its creations thanks to its perfectionism and its attention to detail. Each new collection calls for the same search for the exceptional in finishes and refinement. From the design studio to the decoration workshop, all our unique designs are the result of the rare know-how that is the pride of Raynaud. Its reputation for excellence has been forged thanks to the richness and poetry of its decorations, but also to the incomparable expertise of its decorators and the meticulous attention they pay to each step of production.  

The chromolithography

Many of the designs in the Raynaud collection use the chromolithography process. The design is printed by a chromist and then affixed by hand to the white porcelain pieces by Raynaud's craftsmen.

Every contour and relief is meticulously coated with chromo. The fineness of certain connections, particularly those around the handles, is incomparable; the delicately cut chromo perfectly matches their attachments. Raynaud is particularly demanding and never gives up on these sophisticated, time-consuming and meticulous operations, which are necessary for the production of refined porcelain.

Hand painting

Hand-painting is one of the precious skills of Raynaud and its painters are regarded as true artists.

The fillets on the edges of the plates and the ornaments on the handles and buttons of the moulded pieces are entrusted to the expert hands of the painters. After firing, the precious metals - gold and platinum - applied to the pieces are matt. It is then necessary to sandblast them to give them back their full lustre.

Prestige collection

The decorations of the Prestige collection also require the talent of painters. Several techniques are used by Raynaud.

 IIllumination for certain collections such as Sheherazade or Palais Royal on which the relief motifs are enhanced with a brush using "relief paste" then painted, after drying, or powdered with pure gold or platinum. 

 Inlay, an extremely luxurious and prestigious decoration process mastered by few porcelain makers in the world and inherited from previous generations. It starts with the engraving of the design, before it is covered with two layers of shiny and mat gold or platinum. Finally, the inlays are sandblasted, polished and burnished with agate stone and sanguine for an exceptional result.

The firing

After being fully decorated, the pieces are fired in a tunnel kiln at different temperatures depending on the colours and the decoration technique used. The firing temperature varies from 800°C ("low fire") for hand-painted pieces to 1200°C ("medium fire") for other decorations. At this very high temperature, the enamel softens and mixes with the colours of the chromo, making the decoration very resistant and safe to clean in the dishwasher up to 60°C.

Made in Limoges collection

Raynaud is proud to be one of the first porcelain makers to have obtained in July 2018 its certification IG (Geographical Indication) Porcelaine de Limoges from the accredited control body, which verifies compliance with the IG specifications. , and to appear on the list of officially certified operators.

Only porcelain products that are entirely manufactured, that is to say manufactured and decorated in the geographical area, which is the department of Haute-Vienne, respecting the specifications, are covered by the GI and benefit from the appellation "Porcelaine de Limoges".

The GI is an official sign of quality, which guarantees consumers the origin of products, it helps to protect and preserve our local industrial and artisanal know-how.

Our history

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