Antique Tortoise Shell Caddy with Scent, Perfume Bottles, c.1840s French, MOP Inlays and Original Key
Antique Tortoise Shell Caddy with Scent, Perfume Bottles, c.1840s French, MOP Inlays and Original Key
Antique Tortoise Shell Caddy with Scent, Perfume Bottles, c.1840s French, MOP Inlays and Original Key
Antique Tortoise Shell Caddy with Scent, Perfume Bottles, c.1840s French, MOP Inlays and Original Key
Antique Tortoise Shell Caddy with Scent, Perfume Bottles, c.1840s French, MOP Inlays and Original Key
Antique Tortoise Shell Caddy with Scent, Perfume Bottles, c.1840s French, MOP Inlays and Original Key
Antique Tortoise Shell Caddy with Scent, Perfume Bottles, c.1840s French, MOP Inlays and Original Key
Antique Tortoise Shell Caddy with Scent, Perfume Bottles, c.1840s French, MOP Inlays and Original Key
Antique Tortoise Shell Caddy with Scent, Perfume Bottles, c.1840s French, MOP Inlays and Original Key

Antique Tortoise Shell Caddy with Scent, Perfume Bottles, c.1840s French, MOP Inlays and Original Key

Regular price $1,695.00 Sale price $1,195.00
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A truly opulent and gorgeous early to mid 1800s vanity caddy in wonderful mottled cognac to chocolate shell veneer and inlay of mother of pearl and silver. The pearl cartouche is engraved with the name "Natalie". The original 2 bottles remain within and a center-mounted perfume dauber also remains in its fitting. The caddy has 4 fitted compartments with their silk satin covered lids, as shown, for jewelry I suppose. A beautiful set, complete and without damage to note. Exceptionally fine for display.

Very good to excellent condition throughout. The exterior is spectacular. No losses, no chips or cracks and wonderful inlays and coloration to the veneers. Interior has red moire silk lining and is fitted beautifully with the two perfect scent bottles, a long glass dauber, and 4 jewelry compartments with lids. The original key remains in the lock, as well, and works. A superb set.

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. 


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. 

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.