Collecting Vintage Limoges Boxes as Objects to Cherish

Rochard Limoges boxes are some of the finest pieces of art that can be true items of beauty to your treasure trove of collectibles. The beautiful things carved in exquisite figurines and miniature models have created much mayhem in the recent years with connoisseur collectors of vintage and antique items going gaga over these French porcelain trinket boxes. However, the world is fraught with duplicate reproduction of original masterpieces and the Limoges boxes are no exception. If you are a first-time buyer of the vintage Limoges boxes, here is a quick guide to buying genuine stuff.

Features of Genuine Limoges Boxes

In order to ensure that you are keeping your hands on a genuine Limoges boxes, you need to be enlightened about the features and attributes, which mark off a true Limoges product.

• One of the main specialties of a Limoges box is its immaculate artistry and painting which is exclusive painted by hand and is in perfect proportion depicting an intricate detailing with portrayal of particular scenery. Hence, if you notice the décor of the items to be botched and slipshod, you can bet you were eyeing a fake Limoges box.
• Antique Limoges boxes bear no flaws and to ensure that even the spelling of the name “Limoges” is correct, you need to carry a magnifying glass.  This will also reveal things like the manufacturer’s or artist’s name or symbols which reflect the same. In fact, it is essential to be aware of the various symbols that authorized manufacturers of Limoges products use such as butterfly for R. Laporte over the initials RL and L, bird for Martin Freres and Brothers, Rochard for Rochard Limoges boxes and the likes.
• Contrary to popular belief real Limoges boxes are extremely light in weight, while giving out a shine which is typically found in Limoges products only. You also need to pay careful attention to the hinges which should be perfectly smooth while opening and closing.
• If you are looking for limited edition Limoges boxes, they should bear numbers, which depict the number of molds manufactured and the number that every piece of mold came with in the production.

Other Things to Consider
 

For the most genuine Vintage Limoges boxes of impeccable quality, go for the ones bearing the words “peint mein” which means the painting was performed completely by hand or “décor mein” that signifies decals or transfers were used, which were however, positioned by hand. You can also witness differences in the makes and designs of different artists and factories. While those of Artoria or Rochard use up brisk painting with splashing of bright hues, boxes by Chanille or Dubarry bear a more expressionistic approach with warmer colors.

Because of the huge amount of detailing which goes on in the creation of these wonderful pieces of art, it is obvious that Limoges boxes will cost you a handsome amount. However, once you have one in your repertoire of collectibles, you are sure to go hunting for more, even if that means shelling out several more dollars.