I am pleased to present an intricate little 'Copper Enamelled And China Miniature Hinged Box' featuring a Pomona Soup Tureen. For such a tiny rare item, only 3-1/2 inches high, the detail is incredible.

It does not come with a box, but is in perfect condition and would make a wonderful gift!

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---> Front And Back <---

CHINA MINIATURE HINGED BOXES
Little ceramic boxes are traditionally thought of as being porcelain and coming from continental Europe, Early Staffordshire ceramic boxes and snuff boxes made by Wedgewood in the late 1770's are known, but of British manufacturers the earliest are the beautiful 'toys' and bonboniers made famous in the mid 18th Century. Portmeirion's characteristic shapes, so readily recognisable, are ideal for miniaturising, Made out if the lovely white, translucent Portmeirion china, mounted with gilded hinges and decorated with glowing and minutely detailed prints, these little Portmeirion china boxes are wholly delightful. A lovely revival of an 18th Century idea.

ENAMELLING
The art of enamelling was known in the classical Greek and Etruscan world, and has been used to decorate precious objects ever since. The art of painting enamels was brought to Britain by French Craftsmen in the 1600's but the little copper enamelled trinkits or 'toys' did not become popular until about 1740. In the later 1700's the charm and wit of these novelties was much appreciated and little boxes for snuff or beauty patches were made as a token of affection, souvenirs, to commemorate events, and even to hope the King would survive his illness.

---> View Inside Of Lid <---

Under each handle, not pictured, there is a little Pomona apple blossom.

More from the brochure:

DEVELOPMENT
Today's enamels are made little differently from those of the 18th Century, The box is shaped from copper, then three layers of enamel are individually fired on. When the enamel base is prepared the decoration is applied in the form of a transfer and the whole thing is fired once more. You will note that the prints on Portmeirion enamel boxes are of a particularly exquisite fineness. This is thanks to 20th Century technology, which has developed a completely new way of reproducing fine detail in the rather difficult colours that have to be used to fire onto enamels. The enamel components are then hand mounted onto a gilded hnge and the beautiful piece is complete.

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---> Top And Bottom <---

Size	Approximately 3-1/4" high and 3" wide from handle to handle
Enamel	All fruit images are perfect
Metal Trim	Very shiny with all gilt in perfect condition without rubs or other damage
Stains	None
Use Marks	None
Other Comments	A very unique Pomona trinket box! Would be a perfect gift for the Pomona collector!

As seen in a photo above, the ID mark is a black Portmeirion oval with the word POMONA above.

More from the brochure:

PORTMEIRION POTTERIES
Portmeirion Potteries was started in 1960, in the heart of the Potteries - Stoke-on-Trent - by Susan Williams-Ellis and her husband Euan Cooper-Willis. Susan's determination and brilliance as a designer of both shape and pattern has lead the company to its current success. They names their new company after the magical village of Portmeirion built in North Wales by Susan's father, architect Sir Clough Williams-Ellis, as they felt it was a name that stood for excellence and exuberance of design. Exported to over 30 countries, Portmeirion's leading designs 'Botanic Garden' are loved and recognised worldwide. The shapes, so distinctive, are an important part of the 'Portmeirion' look, and almost all were designed and modelled by Susan.