Limoges Crab Boxes

The Cottage Shop offers a variety of Limoges Crab Boxes. Crabs are short tailed crustaceans from the Decapoda order. Their tails are circled under the thorax and their upper body shield is usually broad. Their first pair of legs are formed into scissor-like claws.  There are over 6,700 known species of crab found in waters globally. Even though most crabs live in the sea, there are some that live in tropical countries on land. Crabs normally breathe through gills but land crabs have enlarged modified cavities that act like lungs so they can breathe air. Crabs are usually known for their long side gait. Crabs are omnivores and act as scavengers. The two largest known crabs are the giant crab of Japan and the Tasmanian crab.  The giant crab is about 12 feet long and weighs about 40 pounds. The Tasmanian crab is about 18 inches long and weighs about 20 pounds. The pea crab is the smallest in the world at about 2cm long and lives within the shells of mollusks, worm-tubes and echinoderms. Newly hatched crabs are known as zoea. They are legless and feed on plankton. After they cast off their skin a few times, the growing crab becomes a megalopa. In this stage, their body and limbs look more crablike. As they grow, they cast off additional layers of skin. Some species of crabs do not go through these larval stages. The fresh water crabs hatch as miniature adults. Many species of crabs are an important food source for humans and are commercially valuable. In Greek mythology, the giant crab Karkinos came to the aid of Lernaean Hydra in the battle against Hercules. Hercules crushed the crab with his foot and the goddess Hera rewarded the crab by placing it among the starts as the constellation Cancer. The ancient Moche civilization of Peru worshipped nature and depicted crabs in a lot of their art. In 13 BC when Augustus erected the obelisk, also known as Cleopatra’s Needle, in Alexandria, the base of the monument was worn. He added giant bronze crabs that weighed 922 pounds each to the bottom of the base. He chose crabs because of their role in Roman mythology. The crab is associated with the sun-god Apollo.

The Limoges Blue Crab with Shell Box is painted in a bright blue and would be a great addition to any collection! Blue crabs are one of the most recognizable shellfish and are a popular food source for coastal communities.

The Limoges Sailboat Crab Box with Anchor is painted with shades of orange and yellow with an ocean scene on top. This item includes a porcelain anchor which compliments the sailboat theme.

The Limoges Holiday Crab Box with Starfish has a painted wreath decorated with seashells on top of a red and orange base. This item would make a great gift for beach fans around the holidays!

The Limoges Oyster Mermaid with Crab Box has a painted red crab on a beach with seashells on top and a porcelain mermaid on the inside.