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Porcelain Snuff Boxes
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What is a Limoges box? When inquiring I found many people did not know what a Limoges box was. I am going to not only tell you what it is but the story and history behind it. Before the interesting history lesson I would like to tell you that if you want to give a personalized unique baby gift, this is one of the most different and beautiful gifts I can think of.
Kaolin (in Chinese meaning white clay) the primary substance for making porcelain could be obtained only by importing it from China. In 1768 Kaolin was finally discovered around the city of Limoges, in France, and the beginning of Limoges porcelain was born. Limoges, a small town was one of the oldest in the French kingdom. The most prestigious artists (painters) became interested in this fabulous substance. They created tableware articles such as plates, platters and pitchers as well as fancy objects such as vases, bonbonieres, and the snuff box or Tabatiere in French. The snuff box became an immediate success. With porcelain there was no limit to the artists' imagination or creativity. Miniature boxes resembling flowers, musical instruments, or even pets could be created. By owning a Tabatiere a person was identified as distinguished, trendy and affluent.
The French Revolution led to the practice of smoking tobacco with a pipe instead of snuffing it. Because of this the production of the fashionable snuff boxes came to a standstill.
When unable to locate old snuff boxes due to two centuries of revolutions and wars in Europe, entailing substantial destruction, some of the Limoges producers were prompted to pursue the re-birth of the Tabatiere. If original boxes did survive, they carried a very high value. Manufacturers worked very hard, the production was re-started and the artisans succeeded in resurrecting their heritage. Thus the Limoges boxes still thrive.
Now that you know the history of these beautiful pieces of art you can also appreciate them. They are truly keepsakes that anyone receiving one would be extremely delighted.
Limoges Boxes have become collector items. There are now thousands to choose from and no two are exactly alike. Most are quite small and have very intricate art work. They make exceptional newborn baby gifts. You can put babys' initials on the outside top of the lid and the date of birth and weight and height on the inside of the lid. Often there is a picture as you look down into the bottom. You can get one for a girl or boy. This unique baby gift item is a perfect gift for grandparents as well. The boxes are small but just the right size for a lock of babys' hair and for all the little baby teeth.
So when you are looking for that unique baby shower gift, just remember the saying, "Good things come in small packages," and give a Limoges Box.
Being a mother of four, grandmother of two and an aunt to numerous nieces and nephews, I have an abundant amount of experience giving and receiving baby gifts. Those are some of the reasons why I decided on a baby gifts and baby gift baskets website. I enjoy the merchandise that goes with a baby inspired business and everything about giving baby gifts is cheerful and happy. The next time you need a unique baby gift (like a Limoges box) go to my website http://www.givebabygifts.com and check out our newborn baby gifts and new baby gift baskets, many of which are personalized.
Collecting Limoges China- What To Look For When Collecting Fine French China Works Of Art
Many people love to collect French china, searching through antique shops and attics looking for the perfect piece to add to their collection. Seeing a fine Limoges porcelain piece it's easy to understand why. The fine china is a work of art, that even the least artistic soul can see the beauty of. When you add in the practical uses for many of the Paris art pieces who wouldn't want a beautiful piece of history?
Limoges Porcelain is the finest French china. First made in 1771, in the small city of Limoges, these pieces were the first successful copies of Chinese porcelain made in Europe. The Limoges clay used to make the porcelain contained the right minerals for a resilient porcelain, unlike the majority of other porcelain pieces made in Europe which were brittle bone china.
This lucky coincidence is good news for collectors, as there is a small abundance of porcelain from Limoges stretching back over 200 years. Obviously the farther back you go the more expensive the pieces become. An artistic porcelain snuff box from the 1770's, once sold for 1 million francs. Fortunately these works of art were created until the 1930's, and some are even made today in the same style as the old antiques. If you want true quality Paris art, you should expect to pay between 100-2000 US dollars, which puts them into most peoples reach.
There are some things that collectors, especially beginning collectors, should be wary of.
First, most later 19th century Limoges porcelain has marks, showing which company made them, who painted them, if imported who imported them, and often who sold them. If a Limoges does not have a mark or only a single vague mark that gives no information, it is often a fake, or more rarely a very old piece.
If it's an old piece it was probably made before the 1850's. Before then only the Alluand Factory, Haviland Factory, and a few smaller porcelain makers used marks. During and after the 1850's all the other factories began marking their porcelain art pieces as Limoges. So if there is no mark look it over very closely it may be a very valuable piece.
There is also a chance it could be a fake. Fortunately there are not many reproductions of Limoges porcelain, so it is not as risky taking a chance on a beautiful porcelain art piece, as it is with other antiques.
The second thing to look for is the quality of the artwork.
Is the artwork finely detailed. A true piece of Paris art, will have fine, hand painted details and lines, the name of the artist will be signed close to the companies mark. If the lines are mechanical, sloppy, or obvious decals it will detract from the price. Even the prettiest mechanical paint job is inferior to true hand painted works of art.
There is a problem here, many china pieces from Limoges, were sold as blanks. This allowed the buyer to paint the pieces themselves, allowing them to create unique art pieces. During the 1850's in the United States, painting blanks was a popular hobby amongst middle and upper class women. So many fine pieces of porcelain may have an inferior paintjob, and inferior pieces may be painted beautifully, depending on the skills of the amateur painter. This makes judging the price of a piece difficult. You have to judge the art, the porcelain itself, and the mark. Remember, beautifully painted French china on slightly inferior porcelain is superior to a poorly painted, but well made porcelain piece.
The third thing to look for is the quality of the porcelain. A true piece of art will be translucent and bright white under the glaze. The glaze should be smooth and hard. If the Limoges porcelain is unbalanced, discolored, has a chip, or suffers from dips in the surface, this will significantly reduce its value, except as an attractive art piece.
There has been a growing influx of cheaply made china pieces claiming to be Limoges. If the item is under $100 US, it is likely a fake and should be ignored. It is of low quality and not worth your money or time. If you want true Paris quality art, look for an original piece, either in the antiques market, or from a company producing original artwork on Limoges China.
About the Author
Wake up every morning to beautiful, hand-painted china butterflies. Whether drinking your morning tea from a Moka cup, selecting just the right earrings from your jewelry box, or simply admiring the exquisite china figures you can always admire the beauty of the butterflies.
NICHOLAS AUCTIONS Wed, July 21, 5:30 PM 175 Buckley Rd, Whitehall, NY
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