What Are Porcelain Hinged Boxes and Why Are People Collecting Them?

Believe it or not, the Krazy Coupon Lady team does have interests beyond deal hunting (though, frankly, not sure where we find the time). In fact, we realized that a few of us collect porcelain hinged boxes (PHBs). These are trending on TikTok and range from the vintage to the brand, spankin’ new. If you aren’t sure what they are, keep reading because we’re about to bring you up to speed.

So, now you know. When we’re not sharing freebies, shopping tips, and free things to do with your kids, we’re over here collecting knickknacks and gadgets like everyone else. We just make sure we spend a lot less than the average person, because, well, that’s what makes us Krazy.

For more smart shopping tips and savings hacks, text HACKS to 57299, and be sure to download the Krazy Coupon Lady app.

 

Okay, so what are porcelain hinged boxes anyway?

For those of you who don’t know what these little treasures are, they’re pretty much exactly what you’d imagine. They’re small boxes, usually made from porcelain, that have hinged, metal closures. Originally created in Limoges, France, they are also called Limoges boxes and are said to date all the way back to the mid-18th century. These porcelain hinged trinket boxes (or PHB) were initially used to hold expensive needles for sewing. They were also used to hold powder, snuff, and pills throughout their long history.

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You’ll find a little trinket inside the hinged boxes.

Many of the modern hinged boxes have little ceramic trinkets inside that fit the theme of the box itself. These trinkets (while not entirely useful) add to the whimsy of the pieces.

The draw of these porcelain boxes, and their corresponding trinkets, revolves around nostalgia and sentimentality. Many collectors say their grandmothers also collected them, or they’ve found trinket boxes that reflect something else they love in life.

 

Expect to pay as little as $3 and as much as $5,000.

Collectibles always have a pretty vast range when it comes to pricing. You can find some modern or common PHBs for as little as $3. The retired and rare antique pieces can cost up to $5,000. Pricing depends on how rare the piece is, the condition, and whether it’s a retired PHB or still in circulation.

Religious and spiritual boxes, along with well-known names and brands like McDonalds, Disney, and Dr. Seuss, have some of the more expensive price tags we’ve seen.

 

 

Shop eBay, Etsy, and even Amazon to find these boxes.

Along with local vintage and secondhand shops, you can find PHBs online. Aside from the larger, well-known sellers, you’ll find small retailers devoted to selling rare and collectible porcelain hinged boxes. Sites like Limoges Collector and Limoges Box Boutique sell new and vintage porcelain hinged boxes for as little as $79.

You’ll find better prices by shopping on Amazon, eBay, or Etsy, but these pieces won’t be as rare or valuable as the ones found on collector websites. Be sure to check the seller ratings as these are more often sold by third-party sellers.

Here are just a few of our favorites on Amazon.