Limoges was settled originally by the Romans just around the time of Christ and first called “Augustoritum.” Some 250 years later, it was Christianized by the Bishop (later, Saint) Martial, the city’s patron saint, and after whom the local abbey is named.
Limoges is known for three types of craft: enameled copper panels (especially for religious uses during medieval times ), oak casks for cognac production, and (especially in the nineteenth century) hand-decorated porcelain wares.
The piece shown above, made in the late 19th or early 20th century, bears a delicate, hand-painted pine bough. Click on the photo above to learn more about it.