Strawberries in a Crate Hand-Painted Limoges Box

Fresh from the field, a crate brims with ripe strawberries in this summery porcelain scene. Each berry was painted by hand on this Limoges box in Limoges, France, so the harvest looks just picked.

Picked at First Light

A crate of strawberries brings back memories of pick-your-own farms, roadside stands and the first shortcake of June. It is one of the happiest fruit subjects in Limoges, bright and cheerful without needing a holiday to explain it.

Berry Season on the Shelf

• Hand-painted porcelain from Limoges, France
• Fits a fruit, farm market or country kitchen collection
• Pairs with cherry, apple basket and pie pieces

A Farm Stand in the Kitchen

Set it on a kitchen windowsill, an open shelf beside the jam jars, or a farmhouse hutch. It makes a sweet present for a home cook famous for her strawberry jam, a farmers market regular, or a friend celebrating a June birthday.

From Clay to Crate

Many Limoges boxes are painted only after the white porcelain has been fired, and the metal mounts are fitted by hand afterward. That patient process is why even a simple crate of berries carries so much detail.