The words "factory" and "manufacturing" seem rather extravagant to describe the Limoges box "industry." The only true manufacturing process is that of creating the actual porcelain paste, small amounts of which are sent to each "factory" to be molded and fired.

"We use many different studios for painting," says Davidson, "because we have such a wide and varied line, and each studio has its specialty. One painter might be a master with animals, while another might specialize in flowers." All production is hand painted. "We use no decals, no stencils - no shortcut techniques at all," she adds

In this world of collectibles, just how "collectible" are Chamart's boxes? Davidson herself is highly critical of some of the so-called "limited editions" sold throughout the industry. "Normal production is around 750 to 850 of each box, and we don't consider them 'limited editions,'" she says "But I see items that number in the thousands advertised as 'limited editions.' Limitless editions would be more accurate!" A true limited edition can only be made on a piece that ceases to be produced when the edition is completed. One cannot simply change a color and call a piece limited.

Each Chamart box, while not strictly limited, is restricted by the physical limitations of the process itself.

The porcelain paste is cast in three-dimensional molds painstakingly carved from plaster of Paris. Usually ten molds are made for each model, and each mold can produce no more than 75 to 85 pieces before becoming worn so that the finished piece loses detail.

Ten molds, 75 to 85 pieces each - in other words, every Chamart box, except under exceptional circumstances, is limited to 750 to 850 pieces. A numbering system indicates the year the model was introduced (first two digits of the style number indicate the year). Limited editions? Not strictly. Collectible? Most definitely!

Chamart does create genuinely limited pieces, limited because they are made entirely by band. "We have a very old, very talented gentleman in France who makes each of our miniature flowerpots by hand," says Davidson. "Not only is the model limited, but each piece is different. The handle is hand-twisted, each flower is made by hand, then inserted by hand. The maximum for any one such piece is 300."

Magic Boxes

With more than 2,500 Limoges boxes in the current collection, it would be far easier to enumerate boxes that Chamart doesn't make. Every conceivable category seems to be represented - holidays, hearts, books, animals, cigars (more than 750 of which were sold immediately on introduction, an indication of how cigars were "smoking"!), clothing (hats, shoes, shirts), luggage, vehicles, vegetables, fruits etc ad infinitum - all created with astonishing detail, grace and exquisitely - orchestrated colours.

Chamart Limoges boxes range up to $425 retail, with the average box selling between $150 and $210. A lot for something so small and delicate? Not when you pick one up and examine its incredible detail. Each box is a tribute not only to the craftsmanship of these remaining Limoges studios - that's obvious - but as well to their feel for form, their appreciation of the beauty of nature and - perhaps most of all - their tongue-in-cheek humour and delight in surprise.

Proof is that most Chamart Limoges boxes are sold in museum shops, fine jewelry stores and specialty department stores such as Gumps, Nieman Marcus and Nordstrom's. "We really built our business on the independent store," says Davidson, "which is the more loyal customer. We've still got two clients who have bought continuously since l955."

Is that all there is at Chamart?

One might think that making, importing, selling and keeping track of a line of 2,500 ever-changing items might be more than enough. Yet Chamart offers a variety of additional products, for instance beaded flowers. "We've offered handmade beaded flowers for 35 years," says Davidson, "made of course, in France; but then they stopped making them there. Beaded flowers are popular again."

Chamart still carries an enormous variety in addition to its boxes; frill lines of bath and boudoir accessories, stationery accessories, dinnerware, handpainted ceramics and decorative items - all, of course, from France. But it's the boxes, those tiny fantasies frozen in delicate porcelain, for which Chamart will be forever known.