Gold gilding is anancestral artthat dates back to ancient civilizations.
This embellishment technique — applying an ultra-thin layer of gold to elevate and ennoble a surface — has endured for centuries while preserving its mystery and prestige.
Among its most remarkable applications is gilding on porcelain, a domain of excellence perfected by the Manufacture de Sèvres, where tradition and innovation meet to create exceptional works of art.
Today Maison Manoï continues this legacy on Limoges porcelain, crafting bespoke tableware and decorative pieces decorative pieces adorned with genuine fine gold.
Every piece — plate, cup, platter, or decorative object — can be customised to your vision.
Each project is created to measure for weddings, exclusive events, and prestigious brands.
Our gilded porcelain has illuminated gala dinners, family heirloom sets bearing coats of arms, and exclusive creations for luxury houses.
The Art of Gold Application at Sèvres
At the Manufacture de Sèvres, the technique of applying gold with a brush has existed since the establishment’s origins and remains virtually unchanged today. Perfected in 1771 for hard porcelain, this method is still used for all the types of porcelain produced there.
Fine Gold Gilding at Maison Manoï
In Limoges, Maison Manoï produces complete table services, cups, and decorative objects hand-gilded with 24-carat gold.
Logos, coats of arms, monograms, or specific patterns can be integrated during fabrication to reflect your project’s identity.
This level of personalisation particularly appeals to families wishing to immortalise their heritage as well as to luxury houses seeking to offer their guests an exceptional experience.
A Precious Material, Carefully Prepared
At Sèvres, the metal most commonly used is pure 24-carat gold, extracted from a solid ingot and transformed into powder by chemical precipitation with iron sulfate. The resulting gold powder is finely ground with a flux and mixed with binders to make it brush-ready — a preparation known as “yellow gold.”
Specialised Tools for Exceptional Work
To achieve the various gilding styles, artisans use a range of specialised brushes:
• Angled “whistle” brushes made of squirrel hair for fine gilded lines (filets)
• Decorative brushes of varying lengths for ornamental work
• Flat, wide brushes for full-surface gold backgrounds
• Small, short brushes for raised gold relief designs
Le processus de création
The Creation Process :
1. Filets (Gilded Lines) – The piece is placed on a rotating stand. The artisan, with a steady hand, applies a continuous gold line of perfect thickness along the edge.
2. Ornamentation – Freehand decoration guided by an artist’s sketch, used for handles, spouts, and delicate trim.
3. Full Gold Grounds : Application of multiple gold layers to achieve a perfectly uniform gilded surface.
4. Raised Gold Relief : Pure gold thickened with vaseline is applied drop by drop, creating sculptural designs typical of 18th-century ornamentation.
Fixing and Finishing the Gold
After application, the gold undergoes several essential stages:
1. Drying : Pieces are placed in a drying chamber at 100 °C.
2. Firing: The gold is fired between 650 °C and 880 °C, depending on the porcelain body and glaze. This crucial step fuses the gold permanently to the surface..
3. Burnishing : After firing, the gold appears matte. Its brilliant lustre — characteristic of precious metals such as gold, platinum, and silver — is revealed during the burnishing stage, where it is polished to perfection.
Unlike gilding on other materials, gold gilding on Limoges porcelain offers exceptional longevity.
Maison Manoï guarantees creations that are both beautiful and resilient — designed to stand the test of time.
It is the high-temperature firing unique to Limoges porcelain that ensures the gold remains permanently fused, preserving its brilliance generation after generation.
Care Recommendations
To maintain the shine of fine gold gilding:
Avoid harsh chemicals
Clean gently without abrasive tools
Use mild, natural cleaning products
Handle pieces with care to prevent scratches
Most of our bespoke collectionse feature prestigious gilding — a true symbol of luxury and elegance.
Whether it’s a wedding service, a one-of-a-kind gift, or a collector’s piece, each project is conceived in close collaboration with our clients. We guide you through form, decoration, and finish so your gilded Limoges porcelain becomes a unique, timeless masterpiece.