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Limoges Porcelain Trinket Box from France - Cobalt Blue & Golds the pi - $245 (tarzana)
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The larger item is a beautiful POWDER BOX or Large TRINKET BOX, in Cobalt Blue with painted flowers and rims in 24 kt. gold. From Limoges, France by F&M (Fontanille & Marraud).
This superb quality decorative china is made of very high quality hard porcelain. The edges are all smooth rimmed in 24 kt gold. The deep cobalt blue is decorated with gold & teal florals. Also, the lid is decorated with gold medallions and a large gold intricate star-shaped medallion in the center. The interior is also done in the cobalt blue, with white porcelain rims.
CONDITION: The condition is almost superb. There is only one tiny chip in the outer rim of the top lid. (I pointed it out in the photo.) Other than that it is absolutely perfect. There appears to be absolutely no wear to the vivid cobalt color and no cracks or flaws other than the one small chip. The gold shows no wear. The interior is clean. See the photos to judge this for yourself. (Any pink or white seen are just reflections from my lights or the camera.)
DIMENSIONS: The widest diameter is approximately 3 & 1/2" across / approx 11" around / and it has a height of approximately 1" tall.
HISTORY/MARKS: In 1928, Martial Fontanille established a porcelain decorating workshop in Limoges, France. By 1938, his son-in-law Maurice Marraud joined him. Operating under the name Porcelaine Artistique F.M., they produced luxury painted wares and are well known for their cobalt blue items. In 1942 they bought a small factory on Rue de l'Universite, Limoges. Marraud retired in 1947 with his sons Michel and Bernard continuing the business until 2002. This mark is documented in Mary Frank Gaston's Collector's Encyclopedia of Limoges Porcelain, 3rd edition.
The smaller box is mostly the same as listed above, but this one measures 2" across by 1/2" tall with the dome lid. It is PERFECT with no chips, cracks, scratches or wear. The cobalt blue is accented with a gold rim around the top of both the bowl and the lid. The lid also has a gorgeous, hand-painted pink rose in the center, with detailed green leaves and that is surrounded by a halo of golden, intricate design. (See photos). Also there is a gold, round plaque under the top lid that reads "C W & Co Round Table 1991, so we know that this box is about 25 years old, making it an official antique/collectible.
A recent appraisal quoted me a value of $500 for this larger box and $250 for the smaller, but due to the small chip in the larger one, I am selling it for just $249. Or take BOTH of them for only $400 ($350 less than they appraised for).