LIMOGES "A NOTRE ROY LOUIS XVI" (to our King LOUIS XVI)
This is a Very Special Limoges Box, as you can see it is dedicated to the memory of King Louis XVI of France (1754-1793)
Black flags are pointing down from the air balloon as sign of sorrow or grievance, and the kings face silhouette is in the middle of the balloon.
So this box is over 200 years old.
Unfortunately box has a crack line across the front and Y shape close to the hinge and a tiny chip outside and inside, but still pretty firm and not really noticeable to the first view. The meaning of this box worth the imperfections.
This box is Marked at bottom "LF" (stands for Limoges France) and it has the Limoges signature hinge and the clasp the matches boxes made late 1700's and early 1800's
Oval 2.5" x 1.5" approx. and 5/8" tall
Welcome questions
History
The city of Limoges was already the home of very artistic pottery making and by the late 1700s Mr Turgot who was King Louis XVI's businessman realized its importance for the economic development of the country. The first Limoges porcelain plates and dinnerware were made under commission of the Royal Court of France. The first Limoges porcelain plates had to be marked with royal crests or initials. These Limoges porcelain marks are the origin of the Limoges marks that will become an essential way of appraisal for any piece of Limoges porcelain object or Limoges porcelain box. The evolution of the Limoges marks is part of the Limoges porcelain history.
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