Limoges boxes are among the most desirable and sought-after collectibles today. For those who love, appreciate and collect French Limoges Boxes , or the gift shopper who is looking to purchase a luxury Limoges box, authenticity and artistry matter immensely.
When you are ready to purchase a Limoges box, buying from a reputable and knowledgeable source like Limoges Collector is your best option. As one of the largest US Limoges dealers, Limoges Collector imports its Limoges porcelain boxes directly from the top artisans and workshops in Limoges, France, bringing you the highest quality and most artistic French Limoges boxes as well as the top Limoges brands directly so you can make your purchase with absolute confidence.
With so many counterfeit and low quality Limoges look-a-likes and counterfeit boxes around, you need to know the factors that help determine the authenticity of the Limoges boxes you are purchasing. This helpful guide introduces you to characteristics inherent in an authentic Limoges box versus an imitation, including general form and appearance, paint quality, origins, metalwork, markings, and value. There’s no better way to learn how and where to buy an authentic Limoges box than straight from the experts who cherish these beauties as much as you do.
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Please Note: As retailers of French Limoges boxes, we regret that we do not offer any valuation or appraisal services and cannot offer any information on items owned by others. |
Of course, when it comes to purchasing a Limoges box, the number one criteria is authenticity. The quality of hand-painting and value are also of great importance. Happily, you have arrived at the most reputable and the best source to purchase a Limoges box . At LimogesCollector.com, we absolutely guarantee the authenticity of every Limoges box we offer for sale. As direct importers, we work directly with the manufacturing artists and workshop to bring you the very best, the most artistic, unique and the highest quality French Limoges boxes. LimogesCollector.com is also the exclusive retailer of the top Limoges brand Beauchamp Limoges, which offers an impressive selection of the finest quality Limoges boxes in every style, including many exclusive styles you find only at our website.
The following tips will help you know what identifies a true authentic porcelain Limoges box vs. an imitation. Allow these tips to give you a sharper eye and the know-how in differentiating between an authentic French porcelain Limoges box and an imitation.The following tips will help you know what to look for when identifying a true authentic porcelain Limoges box vs. an imitation. Allow these tips to give you a sharper eye and the know-how in differentiating between an authentic French porcelain Limoges box and an imitation.
Tip: In order for a porcelain box to be called a “Limoges,” it must be made in the Limoges region of France. If it is not made entirely in Limoges, it is not authentic!
Look and Feel
The first indicator in evaluating the authenticity of a Limoges box is the general form and appearance of the piece. Fine French porcelain, similar to fine bone china, is semi-translucent. Holding the Limoges box up against bright light, you should be able to see the light through the porcelain, especially the white portions. A Limoges box is not coarse but quite refined, elegant and ornate. The majority of Limoges boxes have a fine, smooth glaze - although some Limoges boxes are bisque (unglazed) or have a matte finish in whole or in part.
Quality of the porcelain, detail of painting and metalwork are great indicators of the authenticity of a Limoges box
Painting
The artistry of Limoges is mainly in how designs and colors are used to create a true work of art. French Limoges boxes are admired for their beauty and hand-painted decorative artistry. The truly talented Limoges porcelain artisans of today, as well as artists from the past century, create such works of art that parallel those displayed in French palaces and museums.
A high-quality authentic Limoges box is painted with elegant and fine brush strokes, displaying variations in colors, shades and highlights, and portrays fine detailing in design. Painting such fine detailing over surfaces and curves of a miniature porcelain Limoges box is a strong factor in authenticating a piece. Of course, lack of detail, color variation and precision is a strong indicator of an imitation Limoges.
Great attention to detail and expert artistry set authentic Limoges boxes apart from an imitation.
Origin of Manufacture
In order for a Limoges box to be considered authentic, it must be crafted, hand-painted and hinged entirely in Limoges, France. Some artists are creating hand-painted porcelain boxes in Spain or other countries – even though they may look somewhat similar, they are not considered Limoges. Even boxes that are made in Paris are not considered authentic Limoges. The Limoges artisans take great pride in their craft and are very particular about maintaining and protecting the artistry of Limoges porcelain being limited to the Limoges region of France. To know more about Limoges, France, I recommend you to read our About Limoges France page.
Some artists in the US purchase white porcelain blanks to paint and finish as a hobby or even professionally. Despite having the “Limoges, France” stamp on the white porcelain, if painted and finished in the US, the piece is not considered authentic, no matter how nicely it may be painted.
Authentic Limoges boxes are made in the Limousine region in central France
Metalwork
The ornate metalwork of the Limoges box is crafted, soldered and fitted by hand. The process for making the metal band, hinge and the clasp for each Limoges box is a lengthy and complicated process. Every time the porcelain top and bottom of the Limoges box are fired, the shape of each piece will become varied. Therefore, the metalwork must be fitted individually to the top and the bottom piece of each Limoges, which is different from any other piece made in the same batch. One telling indicator between an authentic Limoges box and a counterfeit is the metalwork. Most counterfeits have a bulky and wide metalwork which also look more uniform and mass-produced. The metalwork of a genuine Limoges is quite delicate and narrow. If the shape of the box is a square or rectangular, the metal corners are hand-cut and are not exactly uniform (thus indicating being hand-crafted; not mass-produced).
Most counterfeit Limoges-like boxes display poor quality and craftsmanship.
A high-quality authentic French Limoges box is a treasure to own and a great pleasure to behold.
Insignia and Markings
One of the most important and essential attributes of an authentic Limoges box is the insignia or backstamp. The insignia is most commonly found at the base of the Limoges. However, the piece can be signed in the interior, or if the Limoges box is an unusual shape with a very narrow opening, the markings can be found on the outer surface of the Limoges. Of course, as Limoges boxes are made by various artists and workshops – both current and in the past – they can have various styles of signatures and/or backstamps. Many Limoges boxes from the same artist or workshop can have a variety of insignia styles as each artist may hand-signs their piece. Many Limoges boxes can have both the stamp of the manufacturing artist as well as hand-signed lettering or initials. The insignia on every authentic hand-painted Limoges box must include the phrase “Peint Main” or “Peint a la main” which means the Limoges box is painted by hand. The insignia must also include “Limoges France” which designates the region of manufacture.
The insignia of an authentic Limoges box can be found at the base, inside or sometimes in the underside of the Limoges box.
Obvious signs to look out for are boxes without any markings or insignia or marks with the words “Limoges China” or a mis-spelled “Limoge” or “Limogés.” Certain counterfeit marks have long been in circulation and are provided in the image below.
LIMOGES MARKINGS AND WHAT THEY MEAN
We are asked this question from many visitors to our site who want to know more about their Limoges boxes or ones they wish to purchase. These descriptive markings are (of course) in French and describe how the Limoges is crafted. Here are the most common markings and their meaning:
Peint Main - The phrase "Peint Main" (hand-painted) or "Peint a la main" (painted by hand) is a necessary marking of any authentic hand-painted Limoges box. The designation "Peint Main" as a Limoges porcelain marking, refers to a piece that is completely painted by hand with no decals or transfers being used in any part of the Limoges.
Rehaussé Main - This phrase means enhanced by hand. Some Limoges boxes may have transfers or decals applied as the main image either on the cover or inside. These images are then enhanced (touched up) by adding brush strokes, motifs and designs or gold embellishments to the edges or elsewhere in the outer parts or inside the Limoges. If a decal or transfer is added, it is applied by hand, which is a complicated task with artistic effort. Many of the Limoges table wear objects are decorated with decals as this makes the piece dishwasher and detergent safe. A hand-painted Limoges box will not withstand repeated washing or rubbing as its hand-painted surfaces are quite delicate and not dishwasher safe.
Decor Main - A Limoges piece marked as "Decor Main" means that the piece was decorated by hand. For hundreds of years, this term was used interchangeably with Peint Main as meaning the same thing. However, in recent times, for the purpose of more clarity, the term "Decor Main" is used to imply that hand-applied decals or transfers are used in decorating the piece. This could be very confusing to the person who is new to Limoges porcelain or the untrained eye. That is why, it is so very important to purchase your Limoges boxes from a trusted dealer who has expertise in Limoges porcelain and can offer 100% guarantee of authenticity of the piece being actually hand-painted.
Dèposer - This word means cast down, deposit or lodge. As a Limoges mark, the term "Marque Dèposee" has been used by some Limoges artists as a part of their backstamp to mean that the mark has been registered. This mark is an equivalent for stating that the mark has a copyright or trademark. The mark is supposed to give the piece protection against others who may copy the style. Although there is no real protection against such copying and sadly, some original designs have been copied by others to the dismay of its original designer.
Chinese Limoges - There is no such thing as a "Chinese Limoges". If any porcelain pieces are marked as Limoges and made in China, they are absolutely considered a counterfeit and fake.
American Limoges - For a time, painting on porcelain was in vogue in the US. Some American artists or workshops purchased white porcelain made in Limoges and either painted on them themselves or used them to teach porcelain painting in their workshop. Although some of these pieces are quite nice, they are not considered authentic Limoges. A Limoges piece is only considered "authentic" if it is completely crafted, hand-painted and finished (hinged) in the Limoges region of France. Any other piece is not authentic.
Price
Limoges boxes are considered luxury items and highly coveted collectibles and gifts. Consequently, they carry a high value. Most counterfeit or reproduction porcelain boxes are offered at very low prices, which is a good indication of their being an imitation. To find out more about the factors that contribute to the value of a Limoges box, see How To Know The Value Of A Limoges Box.
Authentic Limoges boxes can vary considerably in price depending on numerous factors. The size, shape, number of color pigments and minerals used including gold or chrome, detailed painting and extra accessory pieces can greatly contribute to the price of the Limoges. To the true collector and Limoges enthusiast, the high price of a Limoges box is quite justified as they fully appreciate the quality of the porcelain, the labor-intensive process, and the skillful artistry that produces such miniature works of art.
The exceptional artistry of authentic French Limoges boxes is the reason behind their great allure.
Where To Buy An Authentic Limoges Box
Some may say that the ideal place to buy a Limoges box is to travel to Limoges, France. Although a few small shops in the downtown area of Limoges do offer a limited selection of the more common Limoges styles, the workshops and small factories where the most desirable Limoges boxes are produced, are not open to the public and one cannot purchase directly from them. Majority of porcelain Limoges boxes are commissioned and are directly shipped to importers, especially in the US. If you are not planning to travel to Limoges and want to have access to a great selection of authentic Limoges boxes, there are many good options available. Auction houses and boutique shops in the US offer some Limoges boxes, but they lack the expertise to authenticate their offerings. The best and most trusted source for purchasing a Limoges box is a direct importer who can offer a full guarantee of authenticity. LimogesCollector.com is one of the largest direct importers of French Limoges boxes in the US. For the past two decades, LimogesCollector.com has worked directly with the artisans in Limoges, France and has commissioned numerous unique styles of Limoges boxes, including many exclusive designs. Currently, over 2,300 styles of Limoges boxes are offered at LimogesCollector.com to satisfy every taste and budget, and to find the perfect gift for any occasion.
Final Note
With numerous reproduction Limoges-like porcelain boxes being offered in the marketplace and counterfeiters, especially from the Far East, offering low-cost imitations, it can be very difficult for collectors and gift-buyers to ensure authenticity of a Limoges box. Becoming an educated shopper will help you to know how to identify authentic Limoges porcelain. The tips provided in this article will help you avoid mistakes that are often made when one is not familiar with how to evaluate and ensure that a Limoges box is authentic and of high quality.
As a collector or gift-buyer, it is worthwhile to become familiar with facts that surround the craftsmanship and art of French Limoges boxes and to ensure the item you are purchasing is a truly authentic French porcelain Limoges box. Purchasing a Limoges box will then become a wonderful experience and the only difficulty that remains is to choose which one of these magnificent treasure boxes you will own!
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