Pirate Trunk Limoges Box with Skull

A skull marks this pirate trunk as treasure no honest sailor should touch, the kind of chest buried on a far-off island with a map to match. Painters in Limoges, France, decorated this porcelain Limoges box by hand, skull and all.

X Marks the Spot

Pirate trunks call up tales of doubloons, eye patches and secret coves. The skull adds a warning and a wink, turning this treasure chest into a playful Halloween or nautical subject. Lift the lid and it holds whatever treasure you choose, from a pair of cufflinks to a tiny shell.

Captain's Quarters

Place it on a ship-themed bookshelf, a desk beside a brass compass, or in a Halloween display alongside skeletons and bats. It suits a sailor's birthday, a fan of pirate films, or a cruise retirement send-off. Treasure hunters and metal detector hobbyists may also enjoy it as a nod to the thrill of the find.

Booty for the Collection

• Hand-painted porcelain from Limoges, France
• Fits a pirate, nautical or Halloween collection
• Pairs with ship, anchor and treasure map pieces

The Porcelain Behind the Pirate

Limoges boxes are hard-paste porcelain, fired at very high heat, which gives them a dense, durable body under the paint.