Heart Shaped Blue Toile Limoges Box by Rochard

Blue toile, the French pattern of pastoral scenes printed in a single color, wraps around this heart shaped Rochard box. It is hand-painted porcelain from Limoges, France, and it carries the quiet romance of a French country bedroom.

Toile de Jouy Romance

Toile took its name from the town of Jouy-en-Josas near Versailles, where printed cottons with country scenes became the height of fashion. Painting that look onto porcelain takes a steady hand, and the heart shape gives the old pattern a sentimental twist. Blue on white keeps it calm and classic.

Pairs With the Linen Closet

This box belongs with blue and white china, French country decor and other toile pieces, and it is equally at home among a collection of hearts. On a nightstand, a bedroom vanity or a guest room dresser it fits right in with patterned fabrics and soft colors. It is a sweet choice for an anniversary, a bridal shower or Valentine's Day.

Kaolin and Craft

• A Rochard heart in a blue toile pattern
• Hard-paste porcelain fired at high heat, then painted by hand
• Limoges porcelain traces back to kaolin found near Saint-Yrieix-la-Perche