White Mandolin Instrument Porcelain Limoges Box

A white mandolin, with its rounded body and long neck, has been shaped into a hand-painted porcelain Limoges box. It was made in Limoges, France, and it carries the sweet, bright tone of the instrument into a quiet room.

Strings of Naples

The mandolin grew up in 18th-century Italy, where Neapolitan players made it the voice of serenades and street music. Later it crossed into bluegrass, folk and country. The white body and the details of the strings are finished by hand, so each box shows its own subtle variations.

Music Room Pairings

• Hand-painted porcelain from Limoges, France
• A fit for a music, string instrument or folk collection
• Pairs with violin, guitar and piano boxes

Encore for the Musician

It makes a fine present for a music teacher, a bluegrass picker, or a student who just played a first recital. It is also a thank-you for a church musician or an orchestra volunteer. Set it on a piano top, a music room shelf or beside a framed concert program.

White Gold of Limoges

Limoges porcelain is hard-paste porcelain, fired at very high heat, which gives white pieces like this one their bright, clean surface.