Dig This Treasure!

I visited the Faberge exhibit at the Detroit Institute of Arts a few weeks ago, and it was there I had a revelation.  With my Herend porcelain collection growing so slowly, why am I not starting a NEW collection of adorable miniature boxes?!  I’ve always liked little things, and the little thing/storage box combo is even better.  Plus, there are so many trinket boxes in the world, that they will be MUCH easier to collect than high-priced ceramics.

Before I talk about my new collection though, let me say that if you have a chance to see the Faberge exhibit, then do it.  Go like right now.  It is so good.  

The House of Faberge is obviously the master of gorgeous little things.  I would probably cut off my right arm to own a piece of it.  I first became obsessed with Faberge after an episode of Antiques Roadshow, when some lady bought a piece of Faberge at auction for $15,000.  It turned out to be fake.

You can watch the video of this lady on the show here.  Such a bummer.

Luckily for me, I am not investing thousands into my new collection.  So far, I’ve spent about $20.  My first find was this little rabbit box, which I found at an estate sale last year for $3.

This box is metal (maybe brass) with enamel over top (kind of like Faberge on a way cheaper scale).  You can’t tell here but the top is not flat.  Areas are raised to make the rabbit more 3D.  

I love this box so much, and I figured there must be more out there like it.  There is no maker’s mark on the box, so I went through a slew of ebay searches (and hundreds of results) until I found this:

I won him for a mere $10.

There are two more of these guys on ebay now, but I haven’t bid yet.

If anyone has a clue who makes these, or leads on where I can find more, PLEASE let me know.

I should also mention that collecting little boxes runs in my family, so I am basically bred to be good at it.  My Aunt Cathy (Timmy’s sister) has an enormous collection of trinket boxes.  She sent me photos of her two favorites:

I actually bought her this one above, so she probably said it was her favorite just to woo me.

This second box she got from Timmy.  And I am saying RIGHT HERE RIGHT NOW that I want this willed to me.  That box is the cutest of all time.  That little bro looks like he is wearing high heels (like a boss).

Aunt Cathy also collects other little things, in true Faberge spirit.  Here is her collection of miniature chairs:

I KNOW RIGHT?!?!  Incredible.

I’ll be sure to update you all on my box collection, so please don’t worry.

-Erin