Butterfly Heart Rochard Limoges Box, Gold Base

A butterfly settles on a porcelain heart that rises from a gleaming gold base, a pairing of grace and affection in one small piece. This Rochard Limoges box was hand-painted in Limoges, France.

Wings Over a Golden Pedestal

The gold base lifts the heart up off the shelf, giving it the look of a little jewel on display. The butterfly brings a sense of lightness, as though it might drift away at any moment. Rochard painters finish each piece by hand, so the shading on every butterfly is slightly its own.

Bridal Table Ideas

• A Rochard heart design, painted by hand in Limoges, France
• Makes a gentle centerpiece in a row of heart boxes
• Sits well beside garden, flower and bird pieces

Fluttering Into a New Chapter

Butterflies often stand for change and fresh beginnings, which makes this heart a lovely present for a bride, a couple celebrating an anniversary, or a friend starting over after a big move. It also suits a bridal shower table or a mother of the bride thank-you. Afterward, it looks right on a vanity, a nightstand or a glass shelf where the gold base can catch the light.

Once Made for Snuff and Patches

Small porcelain boxes first became fashionable in 18th-century France, when people carried them for snuff, pills and the tiny beauty patches worn on the face.