Cat on a Sevres Style Rose Base Limoges Box

A cat sits atop a base painted with roses in the Sevres manner, joining two great traditions of French porcelain in one figure. Brushwork done by hand in Limoges, France brings both the cat and the flowers to life.

A Nod to Sevres

The royal manufactory at Sevres, outside Paris, became famous in the 18th century for its rich grounds and finely painted flowers. This box borrows that look for its base, then crowns it with a cat, mixing courtly elegance with a little domestic charm.

Roses Fit for a Palace

Because the base reads like a piece of fine china, this figure moves easily between a cat collection and a cabinet of floral porcelain. It sits well on a dressing table, a curio shelf or beside teacups and saucers in a china hutch.

Who Will Treasure It

• A cat owner with a taste for classic French porcelain
• A gardener who grows old-fashioned roses
• A collector of Sevres style pieces looking for something playful

Painters in Limoges still decorate boxes like this by hand once the white porcelain has been fired.