Limoges boxes come with their own small vocabulary, much of it French. The most important terms are "Peint Main" (painted by hand), "Rehaussé Main" (a printed design finished by hand), "Limoges France" (the place-of-origin mark), and "fermoir" (the metal clasp that keeps the lid closed). This glossary explains those and the other words you will see in product descriptions, on the base of a box and in collectors' conversations.
Terms are grouped by topic so you can find what you need quickly.
What do the marks on a Limoges box mean?
Most of what you need to know about a box is written on its base. These are the terms you will see most often. For more detail and tips on spotting imitations, see our full Limoges box marks guide.
Limoges France
The place-of-origin mark. "Limoges France" on the base means the porcelain was made in Limoges or its surrounding region. "Limoges" is a place, not a brand, so a box marked only "Limoges style" or with no French origin is not authentic Limoges porcelain.
Peint Main
French for "painted by hand." A box marked "Peint Main" has been decorated by an artist with a brush, usually in several layers of enamel color, each fired separately. Hand-painted boxes show fine brushwork, shading and small variations from one piece to the next.
Rehaussé Main
French for "enhanced by hand." The main design is applied as a printed decal, then finished by hand with touches such as gold trim, accents or extra color. These boxes are still authentic Limoges porcelain and are often a little more affordable than fully hand-painted pieces.
Painter's initials
Many hand-painted boxes carry the initials of the artist who painted them, often small and next to the other marks. They are a nice reminder that a real person decorated the piece.
Workshop or decorator mark
A symbol or name identifying the workshop that decorated or produced the box. Different workshops use different marks, and some boxes carry more than one.
What is a Limoges box made of?
Hard-paste porcelain
The material of a Limoges box. Hard-paste porcelain is made mainly from kaolin, feldspar and quartz and fired at very high temperature. It comes out dense, bright white, strong for its thickness and slightly translucent at thin edges. Our post on how Limoges boxes are made walks through the process.
Kaolin
A very pure white clay and the essential ingredient of hard-paste porcelain. A rich deposit of kaolin was found at Saint-Yrieix-la-Perche, near Limoges, in the late 1760s, which is why the region became a porcelain center.
Bisque
Porcelain that has been fired but not glazed. Bisque has a matte, slightly velvety surface. Most Limoges boxes are glazed, but some details may be left in bisque.
Glaze
A glassy coating fired onto porcelain to give it a smooth, shiny surface. Enamel colors and gold are painted over the glaze and fired again.
Enamel colors
The special paints used to decorate porcelain. They are fired in a kiln so the color fuses to the glaze. Rich designs may need several firings, one for each group of colors.
What are the parts of a Limoges box called?
Fermoir (clasp)
The small metal catch, usually brass, that keeps the lid closed. It is often shaped to suit the design, such as a tiny bow, leaf or heart. Open it gently with a fingertip rather than prying the lid.
Hinge
The metal band and pin that joins the lid to the base. On a Limoges box, the hinge is set by hand into the porcelain, and a smooth, even hinge is a sign of good work.
Surprise
A tiny charm hidden inside many Limoges boxes, chosen to match the theme: a fish in a cat box, a ring in a wedding box. Read more in our post on the tiny surprise inside Limoges boxes.
Goodie
A small porcelain trinket, often with a message, sold separately to tuck inside a box. See our little goodies and trinkets.
Figural box
A box shaped like an object, animal or person, such as a cat, a shoe or a teapot, rather than a simple round or oval shape.
What do collectors' terms like "retired" and "limited edition" mean?
Retired
A design that is no longer being made. Retired boxes can still be found while existing pieces last, and collectors often seek them to complete a theme. Browse our retired Limoges boxes.
Limited edition
A design made in a set, limited quantity. Some limited editions are numbered on the base or come with a certificate.
Decal
A printed transfer design applied to porcelain and then fired. Decal-based boxes are usually marked "Rehaussé Main" when finished with hand touches.
Presentation box
The fitted gift box a Limoges box comes in. Collectors keep these, as a complete piece is more appealing.
Which terms should I know before buying a Limoges box?
If you remember only a few words from this list, make them these:
- "Limoges France" tells you where the porcelain was made.
- "Peint Main" or "Rehaussé Main" tells you how it was decorated.
- Fermoir and hinge are the fittings to check for a neat, secure fit.
- Surprise tells you whether a tiny charm is hidden inside.
- Retired or limited edition tells you how easy the design will be to find later.
Read a product description with these in mind and you will know exactly what you are buying, and what to look for when the box arrives.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between Peint Main and Rehaussé Main?
"Peint Main" means the box was painted by hand. "Rehaussé Main" means a printed design was finished with hand-applied details. Both are authentic Limoges porcelain when also marked "Limoges France."
What does fermoir mean?
Fermoir is French for clasp. On a Limoges box it is the small metal catch that holds the lid shut.
Is "Limoges style" the same as Limoges?
No. "Limoges style" describes an imitation made elsewhere. Authentic pieces are made in Limoges, France, and marked "Limoges France."
What does "retired" mean for a Limoges box?
It means the design is no longer produced. Retired boxes are still sold until existing pieces are gone.
Put your new vocabulary to use
Now that you can read the base of a box, browse all of our authentic Limoges boxes or look for harder-to-find designs among our retired Limoges boxes.
