| Jewelry, a word derived from the Latin word iocale | | | | Since Kaolin was yet to be discovered in Europe, the |
| meaning plaything, and jouel, an Old French word | | | | only way of obtaining it was to import it from China. It |
| anglicized during the 13th century, is used to describe | | | | wasn't until the early 18th century that Kaolin was |
| those things made of gemstones and metals used to | | | | discovered around Limoges France, a small town and |
| adorn oneself. The oldest known man-made jewelry | | | | one of the oldest in the French Kingdom. Thus began |
| dates back to the Mid Stone Age, about 75,000 to | | | | the history of Limoges Porcelain. |
| 100,000 years ago when a mollusk shell necklace was | | | | Initially one manufacturing plant was opened to be |
| discovered in a cave in Blombos, South Africa. A more | | | | followed by more in order to meet the demands of |
| prolific type of jewelry making ensued when | | | | the prominent and European courts. Many prestigious |
| Cro-Magnons migrated to the European Continent | | | | artists and more specifically painters, swiftly gained |
| some 40,000 years ago leading into the Bronze Age, | | | | interest in the popular substance which resulted in the |
| when copper was used to forge a more intricate | | | | mass production of objects for daily uses as well as |
| jewelry about 7,000 years ago. | | | | decorative pieces. As creativity flourished, items such |
| It is nearly impossible to discern exactly when the first | | | | as tableware, vases, platters, pitchers, and bonbonieres |
| container was produced to house precious metals and | | | | were manufactured. A diplomat by the name of Nicot |
| gems, although ancient Egyptian history of 3,000-5,000 | | | | had introduced tobacco to France in the 17th century. |
| years ago may provide some clues. It has been | | | | Tobacco was not smoked but snuffed instead. |
| discovered that the ancient Egyptians produced two | | | | Porcelaine seemed a more affordable way to store |
| types of pottery. One was ordinary and soft, and the | | | | snuff, and thus began the production of the French |
| other was a coarse, gritty and loose compound | | | | Tabatiere or snuff box. Hundreds of Tabatieres were |
| always covered with an enamel or glaze. The latter | | | | produced out of Porcelaine and into a wide variety of |
| was used to house small items, and one of which | | | | shapes. The two halves of the box were fashioned |
| could have been jewelry. In the Valley of the Kings, | | | | with brass settings and complimented with gold or |
| Egyptian Mummies lay entombed in gold forged | | | | silver latches. |
| caskets bedecked in precious metals and gems, | | | | Porcelaine had rapidly excelled into a convenient way |
| amidst a vast collection of funeral pottery which | | | | to create various shapes and no longer impeded the |
| housed burial jewelry necessary for the after-life thus | | | | artist's imagination. The more popular shapes were |
| suggesting the jewelry casket. Egyptians also | | | | those of flowers, musical instruments, pets, a Lady's |
| developed the technique or dovetailing wood, to | | | | slipper or even a coiffure. The wealthy or noble would |
| fashion delicate boxes, chests and furniture. Cedar | | | | even order miniaturized busts of their beloveds. To |
| was in abundant supply and also used widely during | | | | own one was a sign of both wealth and taste. |
| this period. | | | | Production soared until the French Revolution ensued |
| The introduction and production of the wooden box | | | | from 1789-1792, and soldiers of the Republic |
| began at the end of the "Old Kingdom," or ancient | | | | discovered it was far easier to smoke tobacco in a |
| Egypt. During the Middle Kingdom Egypt, about (c 1800 | | | | pipe rather than snuff it. As the reputation of this |
| BC), boxes were customized to hold cosmetics, and | | | | method spread amongst the common folk, the |
| designed like crates to house small alabaster jars | | | | popularity of the snuff box greatly diminished bringing all |
| containing perfumed oils. Others were found to hold | | | | productivity to an end. During the two centuries of |
| mirrors, combs and even slippers. More elaborate | | | | Europe's destructive revolutions and wars, very few |
| boxes were discovered to be inlaid or veneered with | | | | pieces of the fragile pottery survived. |
| sheets of ivory or exotic timbers purchased from | | | | Some manufacturers have worked diligently to |
| lands south of Egypt and often contained jewelry and | | | | re-produce the unique Tabatieres via extensive |
| precious stones. | | | | historical research of the original documents of molds |
| It was during Marco Polo's journey to China, 1271-1288, | | | | which miraculously survived the devastation of war. |
| that the ceramic substance known as Porcelain first | | | | Each piece is its own work of art and many can be |
| became known to Western civilization. The Chinese, | | | | viewed at the Musee de la porcelaine de Limoges |
| however, were reluctant to share their secrets in | | | | today. The Tabatieres have also transcended time into |
| regards a substance known as Kaolin, meaning "white | | | | the more modern day, ever popular, and highly |
| clay," and the primary ingredient for making Porcelain. | | | | collectable Trinket Box. |