What is a Limoges trinket box, and what does “Peint Main” mean?

A Limoges trinket box is a small, hinged porcelain box, often decorated with hand-painted designs and finished with metal brackets. Peint Main is French for hand-painted, a phrase used for boxes with hand-decorated, not just printed, images. These boxes are popular gifts and collectibles that feature themes such as flowers, animals, holiday motifs or miniature scenes. Quality varies, fine examples feature precise brushwork, clean gold accents, and well-fitted hardware. Look at the hinge alignment and lid closure, a good box closes neatly without swinging. Look for clear country of origin wording and consistent signage. Condition is very important - chips on rims or lid edges can quickly affect collectability.