Mobile Cell Phone Hand-Painted Porcelain Limoges Box

A mobile phone, the gadget no one leaves home without, takes an unexpected turn as a porcelain box. It was painted by hand in Limoges, France, pairing a modern subject with a centuries-old craft.

Old Craft, New Call

Most Limoges subjects come from gardens, kitchens and holidays, so a cell phone stands out with a wink of humor. It captures the era when phones first fit in a pocket and everyone wanted the latest model, a small piece of everyday history rendered in porcelain.

Who Is Calling

• A tech professional or engineer marking a new job
• A telephone company retiree with stories to tell
• A friend who is always on the phone

Desk Duty

Set it on an office desk, a reception counter or a home study shelf beside a vintage rotary phone or a typewriter for a fun look at how communication has changed. It also makes a lighthearted present for a graduation, a sales award or a first office of one's own.

Hand-painted porcelain from Limoges, France, it proves that no subject is too modern for the old Limoges workshops.