Beige Cottage with Red Roof Limoges House Box

With beige walls and a bright red roof, this little cottage looks like the first house you would see turning onto a quiet country lane. Painters in Limoges, France decorated this porcelain Limoges box by hand.

Home Sweet Hamlet

House boxes have a special place in porcelain collecting, because each one suggests a whole village waiting to be built. The warm red roof gives this cottage plenty of presence, and the soft beige walls keep it gentle enough to sit among other houses without competing.

Keys to a New Door

A house is the classic way to mark a big move. Give this one to first-time buyers on closing day, to a couple who just built their dream home, or to a real estate agent's favorite clients as a thank you. It also suits a family that has lived in the same place for decades and wants something that looks a little like the home they love.

Building the Village

• Hand-painted porcelain from Limoges, France
• Groups well with church, barn and shop front pieces
• Looks at home on a mantel, entry shelf or curio cabinet

Line up a few houses together and a single shelf becomes a tiny French street.