Limoges Easter Boxes

Easter is the day where Christians celebrate the Resurrection of Jesus Christ. In 325, the Council of Nicaea decreed that Easter will be observed on the first Sunday following the first full moon after the spring equinox. Therefore, Easter falls on any Sunday between March 22 and April 25. Orthodox churches use the Julian calendar to calculate when Easter will be celebrated and the Protestants and Roman Catholics use the Gregorian calendar.

Lent is the period of 40 days before Easter in the Christian calendar. It is a time that Christians replicate the 40 days that Jesus fasted in the Judaean Desert. Lent practices vary between Christians. Catholics and Protestants will give up something for lent. In 1966, the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops passed Norms II and IV that bound all persons from age 14 to abstain from meat on all Fridays during Lent. Orthodox Christians abstain from meat, dairy products, eggs, olive oil and wine during lent.  Ash Wednesday is observed by Western Christians as the start of Lent. Forgiveness Sunday is observed by the Orthodox Church as the last day before the Great Lent commences.

Palm Sunday which falls on the Sunday before Easter commemorates the entrance of Jesus into Jerusalem. Palm branches were placed on his path. This day is in recognition of the beginning of Holy Week and Jesus’ final agonizing journey to His crucifixion. The Limoges Jerusalem Postcard Box has the details of the Dome of the Rock and the Wailing Wall painted on it. The Limoges Jerusalem Painting on easel Box includes a porcelain painter’s case.  

Holy Monday observes the cursing of the fig tree and the Cleansing of the Temple.

Holy Tuesday commemorates the Withering of Fig Tree, the Temple Debates, the Parable of the Two Sons, Jesus’ Voes against Pharisees, the Olivet Discourse and the Parable of Ten Virgins. The Limoges Holy White Bible with Angel Box has a gold painted cross on the front with a gold angel attached to the inside.

Holy Wednesday observes Judas’ decision to betray Jesus and the anointment of Jesus at Bethany.

Holy Thursday commemorates the Washing of the Feet, Last Supper of Jesus Christ with the Apostles and the Prediction of Judas’ Betrayal. The Limoges Last Supper Box shows Jesus with the 12 Apostles with their meals on the table.

Good Friday commemorates the Crucifixion of Jesus Christ.

There are many great traditions that have circulated over the years. The custom of having lamb on Easter comes from scripture and the sacrificial role in ancient Israel. Since the 12^th century, Easter meals have included ham, eggs, cheese, bread and sweets. The Limoges Floral Lamb Box on Grass is painted with flowers covering the green base and a vine with flowers that travels across the lamb.

The Easter Bunny originated in Germany in the 1500s. Legends say that a poor woman decorated colorful eggs for her children and hid them in the garden for them to find. When the children found the eggs, they say a large hare hopping away. The children thought the hare laid the eggs so they started making nests. When German immigrants settled in America in the 1700s, they brought the Easter bunny legend with them. Easter Bunny customs spread across the US and the deliveries expanded to candy. Decorated baskets replaced the nests and egg-shaped candy were manufactured. Popular Easter candy are jelly beans, chocolate eggs and marshmallow Peeps. The Limoges Easter Hen in Chocolate Basket Box has painted colored eggs nestled next to a light brown hen. The Limoges Easter Cupcake Box with Chocolate Hen is painted with pastel colors and has decorated Easter eggs on top. This box includes a porcelain brown painted hen.

The tradition of coloring eggs for Easter dates back to the 13^th century. Eating eggs were formerly forbidden during Lent. The chickens would continue to lay the eggs so people would paint and decorate them to mark the end of the lent season. In 1878, the White House hosted their first White House Egg Roll. This annual event involves kids racing while pushing eggs with long-handled spoons through the grass of the White House’s lawn. Other Easter egg traditions include the Easter egg hunts. The Cottage Shop offers a variety of Limoges Egg Boxes that are all handcrafted and painted to fit the needs of our customers.  

Parades have been increasingly popular for larger cities across the US. New York City has hosted an Easter parade since the 1870s on 5^th Avenue from 49^th Street to 57^th Street. After attending service at one of the 5^th Avenue churches, the upper class would go outside and watch the parade. They would be wearing their best Easter attire which included the traditional Easter bonnet. The Limoges Basket with Easter Bonnet and Eggs Box is painted with all of the iconic Easter symbols and has a decorated brass handle finishing touch.  

The Limoges Easter Rabbit with Multicolor Eggs Carton Box has a brown rabbit playing in a garden of flowers painted on the top and includes porcelain yellow, pink and purple eggs.

The Limoges Eggs in Tree Branch Nest Box has colorful flowers painted on a nest the holds 3 vibrant eggs. This nest can be removed from the tree branch.

The Limoges Imperial Turquoise Easter Eggs Basket is beautifully painted in turquoise with gold accents.

The Limoges Rabbit Painting Easter Eggs Box is heart shaped with vibrant Easter eggs painted on a green base.

The Limoges Girl Easter Rabbit Box with Eggs has a brown rabbit sitting on an oval shaped base that is painted like an Easter egg. This box includes two porcelain Easter painted eggs.

The Limoges Two Baby Rabbits with Eggs Box is painted in fun multiple colors and would make a great gift for any child.

The Limoges Double Basket Rabbit, Greens and Carrot Box is uniquely shaped for those looking for something different and includes a porcelain carrot.

For additional options, please check out our Limoges Easter Boxes.