All true Limoges Boxes for trinkets have hinges or a hinge. Today's hinged are made of copper or a copper alloy and are dipped in chemicals to give the appearance of different metals. They also have a decorative clasp. Often a Limoges Box will appear defective because the hinge is off center or is doesn't close tightly. This is not so, for Limoges firing shrinks the boxes and the hinges have to be hand mounted making the matching of the hinge of the box naturally different for each individual box.
Many people think that Limoges (silent S) is the name of a company, this is not true. The name Limoges can be used on any porcelain piece that is made with the kaolin clay and made in the City of Limoges. In fact, this is the only French law there is regarding markings on the porcelain pieces, anything else can be put on a piece. Unfortunately, this can make it difficult for a collector to identify the different pieces or manufacturers.
Limoges porcelain boxes have become very popular over the past few years and who can blame collectors for flocking to them? The little detailed designs appeal to just about everyone. Art lovers, miniature lovers and lovers of whimsy all find these Limoge porcelain boxes just delightful to look at. The designs encompass everything -- food, animals, hearts, clothing, travel, etc. It would be hard to look at a collection and not find one that has some meaning to you.
But these are not a new collectible, porcelain boxes have been around since the 18th century. The discovery of Kaolin clay near Limoges France in the 1700's created a new industry in France -- hard paste Porcelain. (Which up to that time was a highly secret process in China.) Prior to this discovery it was soft paste porcelain which was extremely fragile and had no staying power.
**This box is in " EXCELLENT " condition !!. There are no chips, cracks or paint missing. The box measures 2 1/4 in. high & 3 in. wide, and opens and closes correctly. Marked "Peint Main Limoges, France & C7 on bottom. There are wonderful hand painted carrots, radish and foliage on the top, bottom, sides and inside the piece. **
