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Origin and history

The Clignancourt Porcelain Manufacture, founded in 1775 by architect Pierre Deruelle, was placed under the protection of the Count of Provence (future Louis XVIII), who granted him a patent in 1775. Located in the district of Clignancourt in Montmartre, it produced a luxurious neoclassical porcelain, marked with initials L.S.X. with reference to its protector. Despite the competition of Sèvres, in 1787 she obtained the right to use polychromy and gold, after a search revealing illegal practices in 1779.

The factory employed up to 93 workers and flourished until the Revolution. In 1790, Deruelle became prosecutor of Montmartre, and in 1792 gave direction to his son-in-law, Alexandre Moitte. The disappearance of his aristocratic clientele and economic difficulties led to its closure in 1799. Moitte sold the buildings in 1800, and an attempt by Pierre Marie Caillois failed in 1803. The remains, including a corner turret, were listed as historical monuments in 1965.

The production of Clignancourt, now visible at the Musée de Montmartre, was distinguished by its finesse and neoclassical style. After the Revolution, the buildings changed hands several times before being partially demolished in 1909. The factory illustrates the golden age of Parisian porcelain under the Ancien Régime, marked by industrial rivalries and princely protections.

The site, originally acquired by Deruelle in 1771, enjoyed a de facto monopoly thanks to its protector, despite the royal privilege of Sèvres. The gold decorations and neoclassical patterns reflected the tastes of the pre-revolutionary elite. The closure in 1799 marked the end of an era for Parisian crafts, a victim of political and social upheaval.

Archaeological research and historical sources, such as the work of Régine de Plinval de Guillebon, document its history. The porcelains of Clignancourt, less known than those of Sèvres, remain a rare testimony to the technical and artistic innovation of the 18th century in Paris.

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