Small creatures make some of the most endearing Limoges boxes of all. This collection gathers rabbits and mice in their happiest moments: a bunny hiding in a watering can, a mouse fast asleep on a wedge of cheese, a mother rabbit rocking her baby, and a whole crowd of mice enjoying a cheeseburger or a spin on the carnival ride.
Limoges boxes are small porcelain boxes with hinged lids, hand-painted in and around Limoges, France. Their size suits these tiny subjects perfectly, and the painted whiskers, ears and button noses give each one a storybook charm.
Rabbit boxes are a natural for Easter baskets, spring birthdays, gardeners and new babies, while a pair of wedding rabbits makes a sweet keepsake for a newly married couple. Mouse boxes bring a smile to cheese lovers, cooks and anyone who loves a little mischief on the shelf. Whether you collect one or a whole warren, they are easy to love and easy to give.
Three Mice Eating a Cheeseburger Limoges Box
French mice, as everyone knows, are devoted to fine cheese. But these three cousins spent one summer abroad and came home with a secret passion. Now, every Saturday night, they drag a whole cheeseburger into the pantry and dine like kings. Grand-mère Souris pretends to disapprove. She always saves room for the pickle.
Rochard Rocking Chair Rabbit Mother and Baby Limoges Box
Creak, creak goes the little rocking chair by the burrow window. The baby bunny was supposed to be asleep an hour ago, but there was one more story, and then one more song, and then a very important question about the moon. Now, at last, the tiny ears have drooped. Mother keeps rocking, just a little longer.
Rochard Mouse Asleep on Cheese Limoges Box
He meant to have only one small bite. Then another, to compare. Then a third, purely for research. Somewhere around the seventh bite, the little mouse decided the cheese made a very comfortable pillow. He is still there now, snoring softly, a contented smile beneath his whiskers. Please do not wake him.
Rochard Bunny in a Watering Can Limoges Box
The gardener went looking for her watering can and found it full, though not of water. Two long ears poked out of the top, followed by a twitching pink nose. It was the coolest spot in the whole vegetable patch, the bunny explained, and very close to the lettuces. The gardener used the hose that day.
Rochard Christmas Mouse on Matchbox Limoges Box
On Christmas Eve, while the family sleeps upstairs, a little mouse climbs onto the matchbox by the hearth. The candles are out, the stockings are hung, and the house smells of gingerbread and pine. He sits very still, listening for sleigh bells. He has left a single crumb of cheese for Santa, just in case.
Rochard Easter Bunny Painter Hand-Painted Limoges Box
Every spring the Easter bunny sets up his easel in a quiet corner of the meadow. He paints the eggs one by one, a dot of lavender here, a stripe of buttercup there, humming as he works. He has never painted the same egg twice. Some years, he admits, he gets a little paint on his ears.
Carnival Ride with Mice Porcelain Limoges Box
When the fair closes for the night and the last lights blink off, the mice come out to play. They climb aboard the ride, give it a mighty push, and whirl around under the stars, squeaking with delight. By morning they are gone, leaving only a few popcorn crumbs and a ride that seems slightly warmer than it should.
Mouse on a Mushroom Porcelain Limoges Box
From the top of her mushroom, the little field mouse can see the whole forest floor: the beetle on his morning walk, the snail making slow progress toward lunch, the fern unrolling one curl at a time. It is the finest lookout in the woods, she says, and she has no intention of sharing it with the toad.
White Rabbit in a Blue Magician's Hat Limoges Box
Ladies and gentlemen, the Great Lapin! The little theater falls silent, the magician waves his wand, and up pops a white rabbit from the blue top hat. The children gasp. What they do not know is that the rabbit has been running the show for years. The magician is simply very good at taking a bow.
Small Mouse Tucked in Bed Limoges Box
Bedtime in the wall behind the kitchen. Teeth brushed, whiskers combed, a thimble of warm milk finished down to the last drop. The little mouse pulls the quilt up to her chin and listens to the house settle around her. Somewhere a clock ticks. Tomorrow there will be crumbs to find. Tonight, only sweet dreams.
Wedding Rabbits Pair Porcelain Limoges Box
The whole meadow came to the wedding. The bees brought clover, the robins sang, and the old hare from across the field cried happy tears into his handkerchief. The bride wore a crown of daisies; the groom only stepped on her tail once during the dance. Everyone agreed it was the loveliest spring in years.
Rochard Carrot Limoges Box with Snuggling Rabbits
Some couples share a sofa. These two share a carrot, the biggest one ever pulled from the garden behind the mill. They have been snuggled on top of it since lunchtime, nose to nose, and neither will be the first to take a bite. That, the old rabbits say, is how you know it is real love.
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