Argan Porcelain Statue from Limoges, Early 20th-Century

Lovely and rare collection statue, in Porcelain of Limoges, theater character representing “Argan” drawn from the famous comedy of Molière: “The Imaginary Malade”.

Argan is the imaginary patient, what by learned language we call a hypocond. Apart from this defect, he is rather good man and good father. He is however under the thumb of a second hypocritical woman whom he does not want to upset, as well as doctors who exploit his belief in an imaginary disease.
As he is blinded by this obsession with the disease, he does not see that we especially want his money. His defect makes him weak, neglect with his daughters and insane. But as he is brave, at the bottom, he finds the reason when he was opened his eyes to the true nature of his entourage.

Era: early 20th century
Dimensions: height: 42cm x Width: 16cm x Depth: 14cm
Signature on base.

In the 1760s, we discovered in the vicinity of Limoges, in Saint-Yrieix-la-Perche precisely, a white powder, which women sometimes use for their laundry.

It is actually Kaolin, one of the essential ingredients for preparing porcelain, with quartz and feldspar. It turns out that many kaolin deposits exist around Limoges.
Turgot, then intendant of Limousin, quickly understands all the economic interest of this discovery.
The Court of France represents an important market, because the king and his courtiers import at the Grand Prix of Saxony porcelain.

Vienna water will rotate the mills, the forests are full of firewood, and there are expert earthenware people in Limoges.

Turgot supports the project of a manufacture in Limoges. In 1771, hard porcelain was produced for the first time in Limoges.
King Louis XV makes this factory a royal manufacture that then passes under the control of the Count of Artois, brother of Louis XVI.

The clairvoyance of the Limougeauds has enabled the birth of this white gold, which will become a windfall for the region.