Yellow Hat Shaped Porcelain Limoges Box

A sunny yellow hat, the sort worn to an Easter parade or a garden wedding, has been turned into a little porcelain box. It is hand-painted porcelain, a Limoges box made in Limoges, France, and its cheerful color seems to bring its own patch of sunshine indoors.

Brim Full of Sunshine

Yellow hats have a way of lifting a whole outfit, and this one does the same for a shelf. Its shape follows the classic lines of a lady's dress hat, while the bright color keeps it feeling young and springlike rather than formal.

Out for the Parade

Set it on a vanity, a hall table near the coat hooks or a sunny bedroom dresser. It makes a lovely Easter present, a thank-you for the hostess of a spring tea, or a birthday surprise for a friend who owns more hats than shoes. Church ladies who never miss a hat Sunday will appreciate the nod.

Milliner's Window

• Hand-painted porcelain from Limoges, France
• Fits a hat, fashion or springtime grouping
• Pairs with hatbox, purse and parasol themed pieces

Where the White Clay Came From

In 1768, kaolin was found near Saint-Yrieix-la-Perche, and that fine white clay soon put Limoges on the porcelain map.