Acorn Shaped Porcelain Limoges Box, Hand-Painted

Every great oak begins as a single small acorn, and this porcelain box takes that humble seed as its whole shape. It is a hand-painted Limoges box, made in Limoges, France, and it carries the quiet charm of something gathered on an October walk in the woods.

Mighty Oaks From Little Boxes

The acorn has long been a symbol of patience, strength and good things that grow slowly. Painted by hand, it shows off the cap and smooth nut of the seed in a form small enough to hold between two fingers. No two finished pieces are quite the same, since each one passes under a painter's brush.

Gathered for the Woodland Table

• Hand-painted porcelain from Limoges, France
• Partners with squirrel, owl, pinecone and oak leaf pieces
• Rounds out an autumn, forest or nature study collection

When the Leaves Begin to Turn

Bring it out in September and leave it on a mantel, a reading table or a kitchen windowsill until the first frost. It makes a thoughtful token for a new home, a new job or a fresh start, since the acorn stands for great things to come. A hiker, a forester, a gardener or anyone with a favorite old oak in the yard will understand it right away. Tuck it among small gourds and dried leaves for a simple fall vignette.