Limoges Queen Amidala Porcelain Trinket Box
Today in NZ it is June 9th – Natalie Portman’s birthday! To celebrate her role as Queen Amidala in the Star Wars Saga, I want to highlight a particularly special Queen Amidala item in my collection – the Limoges Queen Amidala porcelain trinket box. A rare piece from The Phantom Menace era, it is one of my most prized Star Wars collectibles.
It is hard to find much verified information about this rare piece. During my research, I found that it was available from FAO Schwarz in the United States, around the release of The Phantom Menace – 1999 or possibly 2000. There was also a Limoges Yoda porcelain trinket box available at the same time, though I do not own that piece.
Limoges is the name given to porcelain items made by manufacturers in and around the city of Limoges, France. This particular item features a logo bearing the text ‘Atelier de Limoges’ and ‘Les Ateliers de Limoges’ – I am uncertain if this seal is specific to the manufacturer of this Queen Amidala item or a general symbol used by manufacturers in the city of Limoges (like the way the term ‘champagne’ is used for sparkling wine made in the region of Champagne, France).
The packaging box –
My Limoges trinket box came with a blue cardboard box, with a black and metallic gold seal on the top lid that features the printed logo/seal of Atelier de Limoges – Limoges, France. The bottom of the box has the original barcode price sticker from FAO Schwarz – US$225.00.
The Certificate Of Authenticity –
Inside the box there was also a small certificate of authenticity, with information regarding the history of Limoges porcelain trinket boxes, and how to care for the item. This appears to be a generic card supplied by the manufacturer with all their items, as there is no mention of Lucasfilm or Star Wars on it like we would expect today.
My particular box was filled with blue tissue paper, with the Queen Amidala trinket box inside some bubble wrap – I am unable to confirm if this interior packaging is the original, or whether there was anything additional like polystyrene etc. that had been discarded some time ago by the original owner.
I am especially happy to have the original box for my item, and it is in such good condition as well!
I acquired this piece a few years ago now, and it stills looks as brilliant as it did the day it arrived in the mail. It is absolutely stunning in person – the vibrant colours, the glossy finish, and of course, the fine hand painted details. After spending a few years hunting for it, it was so exciting when it finally arrived in the mail, just as beautiful as I dreamed it would be.
The porcelain trinket box measures approximately 9cm tall (3.5″) and 5cm across at the base (2″) – standing slightly shorter than a standard Star Wars 3.75″ action figure.
Queen Amidala is depicted here in her Throne Room gown as seen in The Phantom Menace. The costume details are replicated here so well in miniature form, from her iconic headdress to her vibrant red gown with oval lights – which of course are just painted here, they don’t light up.
For a small hand painted porcelain figure, it still amazes me at the level of detail – especially around the face and headdress. The iconic white and red makeup, the gold details of the headdress, it’s all here in tiny hand painted form.
The gold pattern down the front of Queen Amidala’s dress here is not completely accurate to the original costume design – but I am impressed with how much detail is included here for a hand painted design.
The underside of the trinket box is clean white porcelain, with the seal/logo of ATELIER DE LIMOGES FRANCE’. There is some hand painted text in French – ‘Peint main’ which translates to ‘Hand painted’ – and the signature of the artist, which I think reads A.F. in script/cursive handwriting. I love the hand painted text for the Lucasfilm copyright mark – it really adds to the unique handmade nature of the item.
When viewing the underside of the trinket box, you can see the clasp is a little off center in relation to the hinge – to be honest I don’t know if this is intentional or not. The clasp is metal, and works via tension, which holds the box closed very well. I find it a little tricky to open my particular box, but I don’t mind – I don’t open it very often at all, and would rather it be tight than loose.
The gold-toned metal bands run around both opening edges of the trinket box section. The metal has a slight antique finish – though I am unsure if this is the original finish or it has weathered a little over time.
I love the use of the Fleur-de-lis symbol for the clasp here. The Star Wars royal Naboo symbol takes inspiration from this classic French symbol, so I love to see the reference used here so clearly on an item made in France.
Once opened, you can see inside the trinket box. The Queen Amidala figure on the top is hollow, and is formed as one piece with the lid, not a separate figure placed on top. The inside has a glossy white porcelain finish.
The dish/tray section of the trinket box is fairly flat, so it won’t hold much beyond a piece or two of small jewellery, like a ring or necklace – though of course I do not use this as an actual box for storage.
On the inside of the lower portion of the box, there is a hand painted red Naboo symbol, slightly above centre. Across the symbol, the text ‘QUEEN AMIDALA’ is hand painted in black.
It took me a few years of searching to acquire this piece – and now it is one of my most treasured items in my Star Wars collection. The unique hand painted nature, combined with the mysterious history, really make it special.
If you have any further information about this item, I would love to hear from you! Did you see it for sale at FAO Schwarz in store or in a catalogue, or perhaps even bought it yourself back in the day? Do you know when exactly it was released, how many were made, or where they made to order? Was the Limoges Yoda trinket box made in similar quantities – or is one rarer than the other? I would love to know more about my beautiful Limoges Queen Amidala porcelain trinket box.
May the Force be with you!
