You have spotted a Limoges box and are excited to buy it. But, you may wonder … is it of high quality in comparison to other French Limoges boxes?
This is an important question as Limoges boxes are quite pricey and when selecting one to purchase, you would want to choose the best. You want to make sure that your investment in each piece is a sound one and the piece you acquire is authentic and of high quality.
So, are all French porcelain Limoges boxes of the same quality? The short answer is “No.”
The first and most important aspect of a French Limoges box is authenticity. There are various things you can look at to make sure the Limoges box you are contemplating on is indeed a genuine Limoges, made in France. See How Do You Authenticate A Limoges Box?
As you know, porcelain Limoges boxes are crafted and hand-painted by various artists and at different workshops in the Limoges region of central France. As you can imagine, every artist has his or her own artistic flair and level of experience and expertise. Consequently, the same style of Limoges box hand-painted by two different artists and by different workshops can vary dramatically in style and quality.
Example of two Limoges boxes painted by different Limoges artists. The bluebirds on the right is by
Beauchamp Limoges and the the one on the left is by another brand - clearly distinctly inferior in quality!
Due to controlling costs, some Limoges workshops provide minimal painting and color variation on Limoges boxes they produce. In contrast, some master artisans in Limoges truly embellish their Limoges boxes with exceptional detailing and color variation. These artists not only paint their Limoges boxes with magnificent designs on the exterior of the Limoges, they also provide highly detailed designs inside the box.
Different Limoges brands commission different artists and workshop to produce Limoges boxes for them. Beauchamp Limoges is privileged in securing the services of some of the very best and most artistic porcelain painters in Limoges, France. As a result, the Limoges boxes under the Beauchamp brand are not only exceptional in design but also much higher in quality, craftsmanship and artistry compared to others.
So, what should you Look For When Evaluating the Quality of a Limoges Box?
The Porcelain
The Limoges porcelain manufacturers are generally very good at crafting high quality white porcelain. Especially in Limoges boxes made for export, you don’t see any defective, flawed or “seconds” items.
At the same time, you should examine the Limoges box for any pin-point depressions or raised points in the porcelain that may have been missed.
The Painting
As mentioned above, the quality of the painting on Limoges boxes can vary dramatically depending on the workshop and the artists who painted it.
Based on the style and subject matter of the Limoges box, some styles can have much more limited number of colors and much less detailed painting. Such Limoges boxes can still be considered high quality based on other factors.
The top brand Limoges boxes, especially those hand-painted by Limoges’ master artists, can have very detailed and complex designs and imagery. Of course, such beautifully hand-painted Limoges boxes are greatly preferred by collectors and Limoges enthusiasts and, as expected, demand much higher prices.
Examples of two Apricot Jam Limoges boxes. The Limoges box on the left is by Beauchamp Limoges,
the one on the right is by another artist. The detailed design and painting on one and the simplicity
and lack of detail on the other are striking. The choice is clear!
Metalwork and Alignment
When the porcelain sections of Limoges boxes are fired, they slightly change shape during firing. The porcelain craftsmen make the best effort to match the top and the bottom of a Limoges box to the closest match possible. However, the majority of Limoges boxes are not 100% aligned. This is not considered a flaw but is a distinct sign of the Limoges box being hand-made.
The metalwork craftsmen fit each Limoges box individually with the hardware, solder each piece individually and solder the clasp before fitting and adhering the metalwork to the porcelain pieces. The work of the various metalwork craftsmen in Limoges is comparable to each other and excellent overall.
Overall Appearance of the Limoges Box
The overall look of the Limoges box can express a lot about the quality of the piece. The shape, proportions, color choices and especially detailed painting contribute greatly to the quality of the French Limoges box.
What is most evident and striking on any porcelain Limoges box is the quality and detailing in the painting. You can immediately decide if a Limoges box is top quality by observing the great detailing in the painting, no matter what the subject of the piece is.
At LimogesCollector.com, we are proud to offer the highest quality French Limoges boxes any discerning collector would appreciate. Our extensive selection of the top quality Limoges brand Beauchamp offers impressive and highly-detailed Limoges boxes in every style and category.
Browsing our website, you can be sure any Limoges box you select from our collection, whether it is of the well-known brands we offer such as Beauchamp, Rochard, Artoria and more, or the extensive selection of retired, out-of-production and rare Limoges boxes, you will be choosing the very best and the highest quality.
So, take a few moments and browse our fantastic selection of Limoges boxes in the areas of your interest. We are sure you will be impressed and will find many Limoges boxes you would love to add to your collection.
