#4131 Porcelain trinket box featuring a Gainsborough Lady portrait and roses.

Porcelain trinket boxes have a long history, originating from the elaborate snuff boxes and nécessaires de voyage of the 18th century. These small, often ornate containers were used to hold personal items like jewelry, coins, or mementos. Their popularity surged in the Victorian era with the rise of decorative arts and the increasing availability of mass-produced ceramics, making them accessible decorative items for many households. This particular box features a "Gainsborough Lady" motif, referencing the famous portraits by Thomas Gainsborough, a prominent English portrait painter of the 18th century. Such reproductions on decorative ceramics were common in the 20th century, particularly in England, as a way to bring elements of classical art into everyday objects. The floral decorations are typical of decorative porcelain from the mid-20th century. 2.5” no chips or cracks.

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• Listed Feb 25, 2026