Rochard Limoges boxes and Porcelain—for the “Perfect” Gift!

For many decades now, Rochard Limoges boxes been used synonymously for French porcelain boxes. Exquisite, classy and elegant in nature, these premium Limoges porcelain boxes are appropriate for your collection or to be gifted to someone special.  A careful research of e-catalogs can help you get your hands on well designed, hand-painted boxes-- that speak volumes about your taste for something different.

So, whether you are looking for the perfect gift for your Mom on Valentine's Day, Easter, Halloween, Thanksgiving or Christmas or desirous of arranging your precious assets into stylish boxes –think Rochard Limoges boxes. You will be pleased with your selection.

Authenticity of Rochard Porcelain

Look for the ‘Limoges, France' stamp. It is usually placed at the base of boxes and figurines. This mark guarantees authenticity and ensures that you are investing in the right place. You should also look for the lot number printed alongside --which verifies that your chosen
piece is an integral part of an exclusive/ limited edition collection crafted by a master artist.

Original use of Limoges porcelain boxes

Get ready to be surprised. The contemporary uses of these porcelain boxes are much different from their original use. Today, they are used as collector’s items or as storage space for your valuable knick-knacks. In the years gone by, these very boxes were used to keep snuff or tobacco leaves!

Given their elegant look and appeal, they were later used to ferry love epistles to one’s beloved as well. Over time, they started playing the role of engagement ring boxes and were used to keep delicate pieces of bracelets, rings and trinkets. Also used by noble ladies to carry their makeup items and other precious belongings, these boxes are rare and exquisite and bear the mark of Rochard.

About the Company

Known for manufacturing both porcelain figurines and boxes, the manufacturers have made their mark through superior craftsmanship and the best designs. The hand-painted pieces of porcelain pieces from Rochard find a pride of place amongst the most coveted collector's items of our modern-day world.

The products from this company are packaged in smart designer boxes and boast of a certificate of authenticity. Granting the utmost value for your money, the designer figurines and trinket boxes from Rochard rank amongst the top of the line products and are exclusive, authentic and priceless—in every manner possible.

With a Rochard box or figurine in your hand, you can be assured of taking home the best gift for your mom. So stop looking elsewhere and get your hands on the finest piece of porcelain in your favourite gift store. With the “Rochard’s” Mark in place, you will be investing in high quality, value and timeless worth alike. Just go for it!

How are your Limoges Items Made?

Every Limoges item that you come across will be unique and exquisitely made. Its appeal comes from the meticulous process that goes into creating each one of the exquisite pieces. So the next time you are out purchasing Limoges boxes, knowing the process of how it got to the shelf is a great way to realize its true value.

Step I

The first step of making these exquisite collectible trinkets involves creating a design for the molding. Artists plan these design and they draw it by hand to get an idea on how the finished product will look. The design comes with elaborate features such as the proper curves the mold will take, the color scheme, and the images it will represent.

Step II

After a satisfactory version of the design is created, a mold is developed for the Limoges boxes. This mold will be used to handle the proper shape of the box or the figurine. Considering that this mold has a temporary life a new mold is made after it has been put to use over a few dozen times

Step III

After the mold is created, a thick porcelain solution will be poured into it. Rochard Limoges boxes and other Limoges products source this porcelain from a variety of places. Fledspar and Quartz are the most commonly used forms of porcelain. These materials are extremely durable allowing the creation of thick walls for boxes and figurines.

Step IV

Once the porcelain is poured into the mold, it is left out for one day for drying. On the completion of this process, the figurine or box will be taken in by the artist for hand finishing.

Step V

In this stage, the box or figurine will be smoothed out by hand in a way that all the jagged edges are gotten rid of. After this process, the Limoges item is placed in a kiln that burns at 900 degrees Celsius.

Step VI

Now it is time to venture into the painting process. Here, the material will be dipped in enamel before it placed in a kiln again, this time at1200 degrees Celsius. Paint can be applied on the material after this process is complete.

The darker hues such as blue and the brighter shades such as red will be separately handled. As each color is added on the Limoges item, it will need to spend some time in the kiln again. The heating process for darker shades is typically more intensive than that used for lighter shades.

At the end of this process, your boxes get hinges attached to it, to create memorable collectibles. Note that every authentic Limoges item is hand painted. Most of them come with extremely elaborate detailing that adds to its monetary and aesthetic value.

Cleaning and Maintaining your Delicate Limoges Boxes and Figurines

All of us are charmed with the unique appeal of Limoges boxes and figurines, with their scrupulous imagery and vivid hues.  You may have been collecting these exquisite pieces for some time now or may be this is the first piece you ever received as a gift from someone special. Either ways, it is extremely crucial to keep them clean and well maintained. This will help in keeping your precious box or figurine looking brand new for years to come.

Cleaning the Crevices

Using a solution of warm water and mild detergent is the best way to clean the dirt or dust that has settled in the crevices of your trinket box or figurine. Adding a few drops of the detergent will be enough. One may use a soft cloth to remove the debris. One can even soak their box in the detergent solution for some time and then use a light sponge to wipe off any accumulated dust or dirt.

To remove tough stains from their porcelain box, soak the same in a solution of warm water and mild detergent for approximately half an hour. Ensure that the detergent one uses does not contain any bleaching agent or chlorine that can damage the imagery on these items. These stains will most likely fade away after 20 to 30 minutes. After this one should remove the item from the cleaning solution and wash it gently with distilled water. Thereafter, pat the item dry with a smooth and soft cloth and it will look as good as new.

Repairing them

One should handle these items carefully or else they can easily develop cracks on the surface. One can easily mend minor cracks and chips on the surface of your Rochard Limoges boxes or figurine by filling them up with epoxy putty using a butter knife. Once the putty has dried, one needs to smoothen it with silicon carbide paper. Applying a top coat of white-colored lacquer which is the cold-cure variety by using a soft artist’s brush helps a lot. By properly caring and maintaining these collectible items one can be sure that they will last a lifetime

A Better Idea

One should keep the collection in a curio cabinet. Because of its closed environment, they can be barred from being exposed to light and dust. Plus, it will prevent interaction with people and pets averting breakage from accidents. It further ensures that dust will not catch in the grooves and the sunlight will not make the paint fade.

These boxes are the representation of French artistry and grace of the uppermost peculiarity and style.  These splendid hand-painting and metal works boxes and figurines have long been hunted after by accumulators worldwide. If maintained well they can shoot up in their value too and preserving them is no herculean task.

Identifying the Various Marks on Traditional Limoges Boxes

From the time when the beautiful damsels of the European nobility used to flaunt their trinket snuff boxes in the 19th century, French porcelain had been synonymous with the exquisitely manufactured and painted Limoges boxes.

The factory in Sevres was the first to witness the blossoming of this beautiful piece of craftwork from white clay called Kaolin molded and designed by dexterous artisans Today, you find a plethora of manufacturers creating their own trademark designs using the distinctive French Porcelain produced in the Limoges area of France.

However, just like any other work of art, the Limoges boxes have also become the butt of fraudulence with the result that the market is flooded with fake boxes obtained at unbelievingly low prices. In order to understand the value and authenticity of Limoges boxes, you have to be aware of the marks that come on the traditional limoges boxes.

Factory or Maker: The maker’s mark denotes the factory where the white Kaolin is turned into whiteware or blank through casting and firing processes. The impression is made on the porcelain prior to the above processes. It can be seen under the glaze usually bearing the words “Limoges France” or numbers, colors or scripts as preferred by the manufacturer. You might also come across specific symbols like butterfly, bird, or star.

Decorator’s Mark: The decorator’s mark is visible over the glaze and may come in handwritten, stamped or printed forms. Decorating companies generally go for printed or stamped marks, while individual artisans prefer writing by hand. In case where the maker and decorator are same, the manufacturer generally adds a second type of mark for the boxes it manufactures as well as decorates and a different mark for the pieces, which it only manufactures and sells as undecorated whiteware.

The decorator’s mark reflects the way the Limoges porcelain was designed or decorated by the artisan. Hence, the words Peint Main denotes that the decoration was done completely by hand and Rehausse Main means the highlighting streaks were made by hand along with a combination of decals. On the other Décor Main depicts that some part of the decoration had been created by hand. The stamp of the artist might be inscribed in initials or signature form.

Importer’s Mark: Limoges porcelain may be associated with thousands of companies manufacturing these enticing pieces of art. However, there are very few companies who have shot up as being top-notch manufacturers and importers, giving the items their brand name. Some of the famous importers Artoria Limoges, Rose Décor, Chamart Exclusives Inc, Rochard Limoges boxes, Sinclair, La Gloriette, Chanille and the likes. The peculiar designs on the porcelain also point at specific manufacturers. For example fruit designs on Rochard boxes take up larger dimensions that those by others.

Mold Marks: The boxes are cast in three-dimensional molds, which are immaculately created from the Kaolin clay. A single mold is made to create a few boxes with unique designs. However, the number of boxes from each mold cannot exceed 100 since by that time the mold’s detailing is eradicated. The mold number is also indicated in each trinket box.

Limoges boxes of Limited editions have special registered trademark as well as the signature of the particular artist.

FAQs on Limoges boxes for collectors

Limoges boxes are beautiful works of art. The original Rochard Limoges boxes are still manufactured in the region called ‘Limoges’ in France. Like all collectible items, there are many questions one might have about these items in order to familiarise one’s self with this unique work of art. Also, many impersonations also available in the market, therefore one must know how to distinguish the original from the fake. Here’s a list of some of the most frequently asked questions about Rochard Limoges boxes that collectors and enthusiasts seek for -

1.Are all Limoges boxes of the same quality?

No, they are not. Limoges boxes are made using white clay or kaolin, and all boxes which are manufactured in the Limoges region of France are indeed called authentic Limoges boxes. However, different manufacturers do use different materials and techniques for making these boxes, therefore the quality may vary between these. Along with the quality, naturally, the price would vary too. A Limoges box manufactured by the best and authentic artists, using fine quality moulds, paints and additional accessories would naturally cost one more than a box made using cheaper means.

2.Are Limoges boxes available in limited editions?

Yes they are. Vintage Limoges boxes made in a particular shape or design may have a limited number because usually the manufacturers throw away the moulds after these many are manufactured. At the bottom of the Limoges box, you can usually find a number which indicates the number for that particular design. The numbers are counted backwards, so a box number 5 is usually manufactured before box number 4 and so forth. However, you can find numbers greater than 500 which indicate that as many moulds could have been used to manufacture that particular design.

3.What are Chinese and American Limoges boxes?

They are not Vintage Limoges boxes for one. A Limoges box can only be called an original Limoges box if it is manufactured in Limoges of course! The special porcelain which is used in the original Limoges boxes is only found in the French region, and the porcelain used to make such boxes anywhere else in the world is different in texture, consistency and other factors to its original counterpart from France. There is a specific identification mark which you can find on the bottom of an original Limoges box which can distinguish it from an imitation. Be sure to look out for it.

Limoges boxes are amongst the most popular gift and decoration items, and a specialty from France which is exported to most countries around the world. They are beautiful, rare and exquisite works of art.