Limoges Pots de Creme

Q: My 100-year-old mother has a Limoges tray and some cups. The tray is marked “Made in France, Hand Painted” and with conjoined script initials “CA.” It must have broken on the edge and was repaired. The cups are marked “Made in France” and “Limoges” and also have the initials “CA.” Is there any value to this set?

 

A: These “cups” are called pots de creme, little pots that hold a dessert made with cream or milk, egg yolks, sugar, and (usually) chocolate. Limoges porcelain has been made by several factories in Limoges, France, since the mid-1800s. The script initials “CA” are a mark used by Charles Ahrenfeldt & Son, a company that had a porcelain factory in Limoges about 1884. Charles Ahrenfeldt also had a porcelain decorating shop in Altrohlau, Bohemia (now Stara Role, Czech Republic), and an importing business in New York City. The conjoined initials mark was registered in 1909 and used on white porcelain. The company was in business until at least 1910. The value of the set, pots and tray, is reduced because of the damage. If perfect, it might sell for $50 to $100.