Limoges Boxes
Contrary to popular belief, Limoges (pronounced "le moje") boxes are not produced by one big company called "Limoges, Inc."  Limoges is both a city and a region in France, and porcelain works of art from this region can be designated, by French law, as "Limoges Porcelain".  In this region, a number of artists and craftsmen, some working independently, and others working as part of a larger factory, produce the boxes known as "Limoges boxes".

Originally a practical item for, among other uses, the storage of snuff, Limoges boxes have evolved over their 200-plus year history into decorative works of art cherished by collectors around the world.  Several good books are available to tell the complete history of Limoges boxes;  see our recommendations on our Limoges books page.  A collector new to the hobby would do well to make a Limoges book one of his first purchases.

Limoges boxes enter the United States through various importing companies, some of whom have their own manufacturing facilities in Limoges, France.  The importers have their own rich history;  see our About Importers page for more information.

Every Limoges box is a hand crafted work of art.  Small imperfections are natural and are part of their charm and uniqueness.  Each photograph shown is a representative sample of a box.  The colors and brush strokes will vary with each individual piece, sometimes significantly.  This may be exaggerated by the differences in color on different computer systems and monitors.  Additionally, the clasp may vary from piece to piece.  Because of this, the box being sold will not match the photograph exactly.  All measurements are approximated to the nearest quarter inch.

Limoges boxes are marked to indicate the level of hand painting.  Peint Main or Decor Main means the box is completely hand painted.  Boxes marked Rehausse Main have been decorated with a combination of transfer painting and hand painting.  The initials/marks on the bottom of each box will sometimes vary since we acquire our boxes through many different sources, but the degree of hand painting will always be consistent among samples of the same box.