This lovely, Rochard, Limoges, stamp box has an oval with a 22KT gold, Napoleonic bee, surrounded by borders of gold, green and gold laurel, with an emerald green background, on top. The bee was a symbol of Napoleon, possibly to align himself with the Merovingian kings, the founders of France, although according to legend, when he moved into the Royal Palace at Tuileries, the drapes were embroidered with the fleur-de-lis, which he considered an unacceptable royal symbol. He refused to spend money on decor, so he had them turned upside down, and they resembled bees. Gold laurel leaves, with green and gold borders, decorate the sides. A wreath is the clasp, and a green leaf stem is painted inside, on the top, and in each compartment. The box is 1.5" by 2.7" with a height of .8". "Limoges France - Peint Main - Rochard" is on the bottom. PLEASE CHECK MY OTHER AUCTIONS FOR MORE LIMOGES BOXES - I'LL BE LISTING ADDITIONAL ONES LATER IN THE WEEK. PLEASE CHECK BACK OFTEN.
