Cartier Porcelain Box, France
View Similar Items
Cartier Porcelain Box, France
About the Item
- Creator:
- Dimensions:Height: 1 in (2.54 cm)Width: 2 in (5.08 cm)Depth: 2 in (5.08 cm)
- Materials and Techniques:Porcelain,Glazed
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:circa 20th Century
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use. Very good condition, with no chips.
- Seller Location:New York, NY
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU131423360612
Cartier
For its extraordinary range of bracelets, watches, rings and other adornments, French luxury house Cartier is undeniably one of the most well known and internationally revered jewelers in the world among clients both existing and aspirational.
Perhaps 1847 was not the ideal time to open a new watchmaking and jewelry business, as the French Revolution was not kind to the aristocracy who could afford such luxuries. Nevertheless, it was the year Louis-François Cartier (1819–1904) — who was born into poverty — founded his eponymous empire, assuming control of the workshop of watchmaker Adolphe Picard, under whom he had previously been employed as an assistant. Of course, in the beginning, it was a relatively modest affair, but by the late 1850s, Cartier had its first royal client, Princess Mathilde Bonaparte, niece of Napoleon Bonaparte, who commissioned the jeweler to design brooches, earrings and other accessories.
Under the leadership of Louis-François’s son, Alfred, who took over in 1874, business boomed. Royalty around the world wore Cartier pieces, including Tsar Nicholas II of Russia, the Maharaja of Patiala and King Edward VII, who had 27 tiaras made by the jewelry house for his coronation in 1902 and issued Cartier a royal warrant in 1904. (Today, the British royal family still dons Cartier pieces; Kate Middleton, Duchess of Cambridge, regularly sports a Ballon Bleu de Cartier watch.)
Cartier’s golden years, however, began when Alfred introduced his three sons, Louis, Pierre and Jacques, to the business. The brothers expanded Cartier globally: Louis reigned in Paris, Pierre in New York and Jacques in London, ensuring their brand’s consistency at their branches across the world. The trio also brought in such talents as Charles Jacqueau and Jeanne Toussaint.
One of Cartier’s earliest major successes was the Santos de Cartier watch — one of the world's first modern wristwatches for men. (Previously, a large number of people were using only pocket watches.) Louis designed the timepiece in 1904 for his friend, popular Brazilian aviator Alberto Santos-Dumont, who wanted to be able to check the time more easily while flying.
Cartier’s other famous timepieces include the Tank watch, which was inspired by the linear form of military tanks during World War I, and the so-called mystery clocks. Invented by watchmaker and magician Jean-Eugène Robert-Houdin and later crafted exclusively for Cartier in the house’s workshop by watchmaker Maurice Couët, the mystery clocks were so named because the integration of glass dials on which the clocks’ hands would seemingly float as well as structures that are hidden away within the base give the illusion that they operate without machinery.
On the jewelry side of the business, Cartier’s internationally renowned offerings include the Tutti Frutti collection, which featured colorful carved gemstones inspired by Jacques’s trip to India and grew in popularity during the Art Deco years; the panthère motif, which has been incorporated into everything from brooches to rings; and the Love bracelet, a minimal, modernist locking bangle inspired by medieval chastity belts that transformed fine jewelry.
While the Cartier family sold the business following the death of Pierre in 1964, the brand continues to innovate today, renewing old hits and creating new masterpieces.
Find contemporary and vintage Cartier watches, engagement rings, necklaces and other accessories on 1stDibs.
Limoges
Limoges porcelain has withstood the test of time for centuries. The widely cherished ceramics named for the French city and commune in which they are made are synonymous with sophistication, elegance and refinement. Today, antique Limoges dinnerware, serveware, decorative objects and other porcelain products are coveted and collected all over the world.
The story of Limoges porcelain, which refers to porcelain made in the Limoges region of France — not by a specific factory — begins in 1768. The region is a rich source of kaolin, feldspar and quartz — vital ingredients to the production of this type of pottery.
Porcelain was first made in China and spread all over the world owing to the trade routes to the Far East established by Dutch and Portuguese merchants. Given its origin, English speakers called porcelain “fine china,” an expression you still might hear today. "Fine" indeed — for over a thousand years, it has been a highly sought-after material. Meissen Porcelain (Staatliche Porzellan-Manufaktur Meissen), which was founded in the Electorate of Saxony (now Germany), is one of the preeminent porcelain factories in Europe and was the first to produce true porcelain outside of Asia.
Limoges porcelain refers to porcelain produced in and near the city of Limoges — it does not refer to a specific manufacturer — and it’s distinctive for its luminous hue and bright white qualities, providing an ideal canvas for intricately detailed hand-painted decorations. (Revered Impressionist painter Pierre-Auguste Renoir began his career painting plates in Limoges.)
It wasn’t long before Limoges porcelain captured the attention of King Louis XVI — the region’s first manufactory, established toward the close of the 18th century, was placed under the protection of the King’s brother, the Comte d’Artois. It was later purchased by the King and became Manufacture Royale de Limoges. The facility produced a variety of pieces, including delicate, gold-embellished trinket boxes, ornamental vessels, Rococo-style figurines and elaborate dinnerware service sets.
Following the end of the French Revolution in 1794, Limoges porcelain was no longer restricted, and the commercial porcelain industry ballooned.
By 1819, Limoges had four porcelain factories, and as demand for porcelain grew during the 19th century, the industry expanded in the French city. In 1853, American businessman David Haviland opened the Haviland & Co. factory in Limoges to export porcelain to the United States. The company produced several iconic serveware collections for many American presidents, including Abraham Lincoln, Ulysses S. Grant and Rutherford B. Hayes. Bernardaud opened in the early 1860s.
By 1900, Limoges had 35 factories, which employed close to 8,000 workers. In 1925, Limoges porcelain was shown at the International Exhibition of Modern Decorative and Industrial Arts — the design fair in Paris that brought global attention to the Art Deco style — where it garnered international acclaim.
During the 20th century, Limoges factories such as Bernardaud collaborated with a range of notable artists and designers, including Franz Bischoff, Joan Miró, Raymond Loewy, Alexander Calder and Julian Schnabel, to name a few.
Today, authentic Limoges porcelain tableware, vases and objets d’art continue to gain renown with collectors and design lovers all over the world.
Find an extensive collection of antique Limoges porcelain on 1stDibs.
- French Porcelain Jewelry BoxLocated in New York, NYA French porcelain jewelry box with flower and leaf design and touch of gold detail, circa mid-20th century, France. A great piece for any vani...Category
Mid-20th Century French Jewelry Boxes
MaterialsPorcelain
$380 Sale Price20% Off - French Flower Garden Box Limoges Porcelain Jewelry BoxLocated in New York, NYA beautiful French porcelain hand-painted 'flower garden box' decorative or jewelry box, with gold gilt brass hinge closure, circa mid-20th century, Limoges, France. A beautiful porc...Category
Mid-20th Century French Decorative Boxes
MaterialsBrass
- Antique French Porcelain Gold Pink & Terracotta Hue Plates, Set 2By LimogesLocated in New York, NYA beautiful pair of antique French Limoges porcelain terracotta, pink and gold plates, circa 19th century, France. Plates are predominantly a terr...Category
Antique Late 19th Century French Porcelain
MaterialsPorcelain
- Butterfly Porcelain Jewelry BoxLocated in New York, NYA beautiful small white porcelain oval jewelry or trinket box with colorful butterfly, leaves and cherries, circa mid to late-20th century. Piece has a raised butterfly knob...Category
Mid-20th Century European Jewelry Boxes
MaterialsPorcelain
$244 Sale Price24% Off - English Porcelain Jewelry BoxBy Royal Crown Derby PorcelainLocated in New York, NYA beautiful authentic English fine bone chine porcelain box in the 'Old Imari' pattern, by Royal Crown Derby, circa late-20th century, England. Piece is hand-painted in 22kt gold. Box has a 'hexagon' shape which is a nice alternative to round. A great piece for smaller items of jewelry (as demonstrated with cocktail ring and earrings.) Colors include a white fine bone china base, blue, dark orange hues, and 22kt gold. All authentication marks on bottom as shown in last three images. Made in England. A great piece for a vanity, dresser, nightstand table, desk, as a gift, etc. For porcelain butterfly...Category
Late 20th Century English Decorative Boxes
MaterialsPorcelain
- Herend Porcelain Egg-Shaped Jewelry BoxBy HerendLocated in New York, NYA beautiful white porcelain hand painted egg-shaped box from luxury maker HEREND, Hungary, circa 20th century. This Herend white porcelain egg-shaped box ...Category
20th Century Hungarian Jewelry Boxes
MaterialsPorcelain
$270 Sale Price60% Off
- Beautiful Limoges France Hand Painted Porcelain Circular Shaped Trinket BoxBy LimogesLocated in Tustin, CABeautiful Limoges porcelain circular shaped trinket box is handmade with a peach and white background and is skillfully hand painted with a floral and leaf motif and richly accented ...Category
Late 20th Century French French Provincial Decorative Boxes
MaterialsPorcelain
- Beautiful Limoges France Hand Painted Porcelain Pear Box with Bee ClosureBy LimogesLocated in Tustin, CABeautiful Limoges porcelain pear shaped trinket box is handmade with a white background and is skillfully hand painted with lots of detail in pretty colors of green, pink, blue, cran...Category
Late 20th Century French French Provincial Decorative Boxes
MaterialsPorcelain
- Limoges France Hand Painted Porcelain Victorian Style Boot Shoe Trinket BoxBy LimogesLocated in Tustin, CAVery pretty Limoges porcelain old fashion Victorian style lace up boot shoe shaped trinket box is handmade in France and features a white background with skillfully hand painted clusters of deep pink roses, vining green...Category
Late 20th Century French French Provincial Decorative Boxes
MaterialsPorcelain
- Sewing Theme Limoges France Floral Motif Porcelain Double Thimbles or Needle BoxBy LimogesLocated in Tustin, CAVery pretty, Limoges porcelain double thimble shaped trinket box is handmade with a white background and features pretty multi-colored flowers surrounding each side of the double thi...Category
Late 20th Century French French Provincial Decorative Boxes
MaterialsPorcelain
- Limoges Porcelain Lidded Candy Dish Trinket or Jewelry Box FrenchLocated in Miami, FLBeautiful hand painted Limoges porcelain candy dish, trinket, or jewelry box. This gorgeous French jewelry box is adorned with traditional decor...Category
20th Century French Napoleon III Porcelain
MaterialsPorcelain
$395 Sale Price20% Off - German Porcelain Fish Form BoxLocated in Essex, MAWell painted with numbers and letters on base and an blue mark with cancellation mark through it. Firing crack on underside of top which may account for cancellation. Beautifully pa...Category
Antique Mid-19th Century European Porcelain
MaterialsPorcelain
Recently Viewed
View AllRead More
How to Spot a Fake Cartier Love Bracelet
This iconic jewel has captured countless hearts with its elegant design and its amatory symbolism. Counterfeiters have taken note of the demand and created fake versions. If you’re looking for a genuine Cartier Love bracelet, it’s crucial to check all the elements for authenticity. Our guide will teach you the telltale traits of a knockoff.
The 14 Most Iconic Watches for Women
Style, craft and heritage combine to make these designs undeniable classics.