Blue and Gold Hand-Painted Limoges Box

Blue and gold, a pairing as old as royal heraldry, are the only colors on this rectangular porcelain box. Its decoration was brushed on by hand in Limoges, France, the home of French porcelain.

Royal Colors, Simple Lines

With no figures or scenes to compete for attention, the color does all the talking. Deep blue grounds the design while the gold adds warmth and shine, giving the rectangle a formal, almost ceremonial look. The hand-applied finish means slight variations in tone from one box to another.

A Study in Sapphire and Gilt

This is a fine choice for someone whose taste runs toward classic interiors, dark wood and brass. It sits comfortably on an executive desk, beside a row of leather books, or in a china cabinet with cobalt and gold dinnerware. In a mixed collection, a plain piece like this gives the eye a resting place between busier designs.

Marking the Milestones

• Hand-painted porcelain from Limoges, France
• Suits a promotion, a retirement or a significant birthday
• Pairs with other blue and gold pieces in a formal grouping

Collectors who prefer color and form to figural subjects often keep a few pieces like this as the backbone of a display. It looks as right in a modern apartment as it does in a traditional dining room.