Several years ago, we sent out an advertising mailer to a large number of people in several different states. I remember one lady who called with many compliments and asked how much a particular Limoges box was. When I told her, her response was almost in a shriek: “HOW MUCH???”
Those who are not familiar with French Limoges boxes may come across one and be really impressed with the beauty of it. At the same time, they may be very surprised to hear that Limoges boxes hold such a high value.
Limoges boxes did not start as inexpensive items that gained more recognition and value in time. Exactly the reverse is true about French porcelain Limoges boxes.
From their inception, because white porcelain was such a revered commodity in Europe, when Limoges boxes were first produced in Limoges, France in the 1700s, these tiny objects were so costly that they could only be afforded and owned by the royalty and nobility of the time.
As time went on, French Limoges boxes became more popular among other levels of society, not only in France but in other countries as well.
Today, Limoges boxes are collected and loved by innumerous collectors and enthusiasts around the world.
Now, you may still wonder what makes a French Limoges box so expensive. Below are a few of the reasons why.
Examples of retired and rare French Limoges boxes | LimogesCollector.com
Limoges Boxes Are Individually Made
The method of crafting porcelain Limoges boxes has not changed much from its inception. The only real change in this industry is the introduction of electricity which powers the kilns that fire the porcelain instead of wood burning kilns of the past.
Limoges boxes are crafted in small batches. When Limoges boxes are ordered by importers or professional buyers around the world, the porcelain boxes ordered are created from scratch.
The porcelain paste (liquid) is poured into molds, one by one, by the porcelain craftsperson. There is a series of steps the craftsperson in the porcelain factory must take before the white porcelain is ready to be painted. These steps include adhering the sections of the porcelain to one another while the porcelain is still damp, then brushing the seams to make sure they are smooth and uniform, firing the piece to harden, then glaze the piece and fire once more to get a translucent white porcelain piece. All these steps require several craftspersons to complete.
Crafting Limoges Boxes Is A Lengthy Process
Once the final firing of the white porcelain is completed, the porcelain pieces are now ready to be painted by hand. A master porcelain painter can now begin to paint various designs and colors onto the porcelain sections, one piece at a time. This process requires great expertise as well as an extended amount of time to paint each color separately. With each color added, the porcelain needs to be fired and then allowed ample time to cool down. This process is a quite a lengthy one and may take several weeks before each porcelain piece is ready to be hinged.
It Takes Several People To Make A Limoges Box
Once the painting of the porcelain is completed, the pieces are ready to be assembled and hinged by a special metalwork craftsperson. This process is also performed one Limoges piece at a time.
It usually takes at least 2 months to craft, paint and hinge a French Limoges box and many craftsmen and artists are involved in creating each porcelain piece. This reason contributes a great deal in the cost of creating these miniature works of art and why they are valued as such.
There Are Very Few Master Artisans Left in Limoges
The porcelain industry in Limoges, France is a very specialized and niche industry. Especially, the number of factories and workshops that produce porcelain Limoges boxes have greatly decreased in recent decades. It is sad to note that several top Limoges artists who created many of the most artistic and popular Limoges box styles have retired and no longer work in the industry.
For this reason, the number of workshops and artists that still create high quality porcelain Limoges boxes has greatly diminished. As the work of these remaining artisans is in great demand and with time restrictions of creating quality Limoges boxes, the cost of crafting and painting Limoges boxes has gone up considerably.
The State of The Economy of France
In recent years, as the economy of every country has been affected by many changes worldwide. France has not been immune to these changes and the Limoges industry reflects these price increases.
Every year, most French companies increase their prices by at least 3%. Year after year, this increase has added greatly to the cost of French porcelain production. As a result, Limoges boxes produced now compared to 10 years ago, cost considerably more.
Supply and Demand
Another important aspect of the high value of French Limoges boxes is supply and demand.
As all styles of Limoges boxes are created in small numbers, it creates a great demand in the ever-increasing number of collectors and gift buyers around the world.
Many Limoges styles have been retired and, as expected, are in great demand. Various styles have become quite rare and, as a result, demand much higher prices.
All in all, French Limoges boxes are valuable and pricey art pieces and those who love and collect them appreciate their value. Many collectors also collect these impressive art pieces for their investment value.
Now that you know the reasons behind the high cost and value of French Limoges boxes, take a moment to browse our extensive selection of these impressive art objects.
At LimogesCollector.com, we offer one of the largest selection of fine French porcelain Limoges boxes imported directly from Limoges, France. We also offer Limoges boxes from all the major Limoges brands as well as a large collection of retired and rare Limoges boxes for your collection.
Our extensive collection offers Limoges boxes in every theme and for every occasion. So, you are sure to find many pieces that you will love and want to own.
