Back in the late 1990s, when I first bought Limoges porcelain boxes, they were primarily found at exclusive gift shops, typically locked in glass cabinets. Most of these trinkets were priced around $300, but I was drawn to the hidden hinged-compartment that allowed me to include a ring, gem, or poem and make the offering even more special. My marriage proposal was even delivered inside of one. (See Post #146). I quickly learned the the French words “Peint Main” meant hand painted, so each box is a unique piece of art. They became my gift of choice and over the past twenty years I’ve purchased hundreds. Each contains a customized poem.

My wife and I have traveled to the city of Limoges and often search for them in stores or on-line. The internet has certainly made them easier to find since  outlets like Macys, Bloomingdales, and Gumps no longer stock them. The prices have also become more affordable, especially on Ebay. On the internet, my go-to source for many years has been Groundstrike Collectables, based in Austin. I once had lunch with the owner, Sam, whose ex-wife is a competitor in the business. Then there is Phyllis, who owns Gaslight Collectables in San Francisco that we visit on occasion. Anymore, it’s challenging to find unique Limoges Boxes that we don’t already own or have seen many times before without an interest in buying. 

Disney once had licensed their characters to Artoria, one of the French ceramic manufacturers, but that relationship has since discontinued. They still tend to be in high demand and the most valuable in our collection. Some command price tags in the thousands. Nearly twenty years ago while shopping at Disney World we foolishly passed on buying a couple of pieces while browsing and found them gone when we returned, never to be seen again. We did however purchase Djali, Esmerelda’s pet goat in The Hunchback of Notre Dame. To this day we’re convinced that it was mismarked at only $85 (should have been at least $285). We snatched it up and consider that price to be THE bargain standard for any currently available hinged-box on the market.

Our collection features travel souvenirs, holiday themed pieces, garden knick-knacks, and cartoon characters – to include a few broad categories. My wife spotted one last week at an local antique show and paid the Djali price. Then, we found another on Ebay for half a Djali. Both finds have been added to the collection, accompanied by this hidden poem:

Limoges for Less

Back in the day,
Djali was THE  bargain.
A cheap Disney box,
Authentic “Peint Main.”

Now easier to find,
With the internet.
Discount French porcelain,
Without going in debt.

Two such “deals,”
Were found this week.
Without an occasion,
Or reason to seek.

At an antique show,
Bottled scents.
For eighty-five bucks,
The purchase made sense.

A Mixer on-line,
Was then your desire.
For a mere forty-five,
We became buyers.

We got these djollies,
At a third of the price.
They weren’t free,
But should suffice.

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