Four-Piece Limoges Set with Inkwell

This is a four-piece T&V Limoges hand-painted set featuring a pinecone and needle motif. It includes a tray, a square inkwell, a small cylindrical container (no lid), and a larger cylindrical container (with a lid). The set was a Christmas gift from Louisa to Charles in 1911, as indicated by the handwritten inscription on the tray. The inscription includes a humorous sentiment about smoking: “It is better to smoke here than hereafter”. The set bears a green T&V Limoges overglazed exporting mark.

Description of the Pieces:

• Tray: a rectangular tray with rounded corners, featuring the pinecone and needle design.
• Square Inkwell: square-shaped with a fitted lid and liner.
• Small Cylindrical Container (No Lid):
  • Cigarette Holder: Given the inscription’s reference to smoking, it’s very likely this was intended as a cigarette holder. Its size and open top would be suitable for holding cigarettes.
• Larger Cylindrical Container (With Lid):
  • Humidor: This is a strong possibility. Even if it was not a true humidor, it could have been a general tobacco jar for storing loose tobacco.

Tressemann & Vogt (T&V) was a prominent New York City importing firm that played a significant role in the popularity and distribution of Limoges porcelain in the United States during the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

Here’s how they were connected to Limoges:

• Importing and Distribution: T&V acted as a major importer and distributor of Limoges porcelain, bringing large quantities of these decorative objects from France to the American market. They established connections with various Limoges factories and artists, facilitating the flow of porcelain wares to the US.
• Retail and Wholesale: T&V operated both retail and wholesale businesses, making Limoges porcelain accessible to a wide range of customers, from individual buyers to department stores and retailers across the country.
• Marketing and Promotion: T&V actively promoted Limoges porcelain through catalogs, advertisements, and displays, contributing to its popularity and desirability among American consumers. They often emphasized the quality, artistry, and French origin of the porcelain.
• Customization and Decoration: T&V also offered customization and decoration services for Limoges porcelain. They had their own decorating studio where they could add personalized designs, monograms, or other embellishments to the blank porcelain wares imported from Limoges. The set pictured was monogrammed with a “D”.