A much earlier hand carved profile medallion of the French Minerve, which has in 19th century been set into carved wood oval and mounted into a portrait miniature frame. Beautiful way to preserve it, one wonders if it might have originally been a lid to a patch box. The piece even as it is dates c.1830-50, but I think the carved figure is much earlier. Beautifully done, quite sure it is by the artisans of Dieppe, France, famed the world over for the delicate quality of carvings. One hairline can be seen. This is very very old ivory. As such, available only through our Utah location and with some restrictions (see below).
Very good to excellent for age and type. the carved Minerve, symbol of France, is just 1 1/2" in diameter, and not thick - perhaps 1/8" at most. Set into a carved oval of wood with gadrooned border, also hand carved, it has rested within this frame since c.1830-50 as you see it. I wish I knew the story of the Minerve carving. Alas, this is as we have it. Measurements are noted on the photos. Ready to hang.
The vast majority of worked and antique object tortoise shell material comes from the shells of two species of sea turtles: the hawksbill (Eretmo-chelys imbricata) and, more rarely, the green turtle (see box A). The shells of these turtles exhibit attractive patterns that normally consist of light to dark brown patches, though a homogeneous “cream”-colored variety called blond tortoise shell also exists. We (and all but DNA test experts) are unable to distinguish between Asian and African elephant ivory, and c.1400-1800s trade routes bringing same into Europe sourced both.
IMPORTANT NOTE regarding antique tortoise shell or ivory: We are great supporters of protection for endangered species in our modern world. We never buy or sell anything 100 years or newer; we donate to anti-poaching organizations; we don't hunt; we conserve in ways that impact global warming (we're totally solar at home), knowing those measures also protect the animals in the wild today. We also recognize the vast cultural history we preserve with our care and reverence for these antique objects, and agree with CITES that objects over 100 years of age have nothing whatsoever to do with species depletion in our current world. We do hold a USDFW import/export license, as well.
Our offering exceeds the age limitation of "more than 100 years of age", and is well within the exemption for CITES regulation. If imported, met the CITES regulation. This item will be handled and shipped from our Utah business, and is not available for shipment internationally, nor within the USA to California, NY, Nevada, Hawaii, New Jersey, Oregon, Washington if it contains ivory, sorry. Please see our small print for more details.
