Limoges I LEC I Leclair I Bonbon Dish I Jewelry Box

Here is a very pretty Limoges porcelain box or bonbon dish created by the Leclair corporation (S.A.)/factory in Limoges, France (LEC Limoges France Porcelaine Leclair). The color is a rich burgundy with gilded edging and a floral vine pattern, also in gold. It would date anywhere from the 1950s to the 1980s when this particular factory was in operation under the ownership of Roger Leclair, who died in 1983. Though the name "Fragonard", referring to the artist Jean-Honoré Fragonard, is signed on the main motif (and many others like it, and not only French-made), it is in fact, not his work. These motifs have been referred to as "so-called Fragonards." One book stated these porcelain items, "endlessly replicate the same repertoire of about six different motifs of courting couples. Ironically, none of these scenes - the outlines of which were mechanically transfer-printed and the color applied by hand - are taken from works by Jean Honoré Fragonard..." Photo 1, main image Photo 2, close-up of motif Photos 3-4, interiors & exteriors Photos 5-6, close-ups of stamp, 2nd image filtered to better show LEC stamp underneath Photos 7-9, identifies stamp, an ad from 1969, official document showing that the corp. ceased in 1984 (then operated under a new name, until fully shuttering in the '90s) Photos 10-11, Fragonard on lid, but not so Photos 12-13, approx. measurements: 5.5" at widest point & 2.5" at tallest Photos 14-16, add'l. images No more room for my references!