
Tournai Porcelain, Belgium
(c. 1750 – c.1850)
Tournai porcelain was produced between the circa mid-18th and circa mid-19th century in Tournai, province of Hainaut, Wallonia region, Southwest Belgium. Tournai is one of the oldest cities in Belgium and has played an important role in the country’s cultural history. It was the first capital of the Frankish Empire.
Tournai Manufacture Mark similar to Meissen with the additional crosses
on a charger available at jacksons antique
Several design trends emerged over time at the factory with notable styles, led by painter Henri-Joseph Duvivier between 1763 and 1771. Their wares featured decorative elements such as figures, cupids, and fanciful landscapes, often outlined in bold crimson (rich deep red/purple) against a white background. Other styles included painted landscapes depicting ruins or battle scenes, using colours such as green, blue, brown, and reddish-brown.
In 1787, Jean-Ghislain-Joseph Mayer created a bird-themed service based on Georges-Louis-Leclerc Buffon’s Natural History of Birds (1771). The design included naturally colored bird panels alternating with dark blue, gold-patterned sections around the plate rims, reminiscent of the “bleu de roi” (cobalt style blue) from Sèvres. Tournai porcelain also featured realistic renderings of flowers and insects.Later in the 18th century, simpler designs became common, often using royal blue or blue-black shades, sometimes highlighted with gold. Decorative motifs included key patterns, festoons, and other formal elements, while some pieces featured gilded designs on a white base.
Tournai Charger available at Jacksons Antique imitating Sevres
Many Tournai plates shared a characteristic rim design, with fine fluting or reeding, either tightly packed or spaced further apart, and often swirled rather than straight. This feature was inspired by the Meissen ozier pattern. Additionally, Nicolas Lecreux created porcelain figures, typically rustic scenes in white glaze (occasionally colored). These figures, designed in a spiral form, were visually appealing from any angle. The bases were intricately detailed, featuring motifs such as flowers, berries, and latticework.