First, let me make clear that this is the case only. The portrait miniature shown is not included in this offering. I've had this in my collections for decades, displaying this or that fine portrait miniature. I bought it without a miniature inside, so I'm guessing by the oval form, that's what originally went inside. Were it round, I'd say a commemorative medal, or a pocket watch. I have some of those yet to list, but this is larger and the oval fits a variation of the old portrait miniatures, early to mid-1800s in age. It's slightly arched so that the thickest depth is center of the box, and that is right about 1" at deepest point.
Very good to excellent condition for age and type. A stunningly beautiful cognac to chocolate colored tortoise shell used, and only one very small spot missing along the back rim. The bottom is the old original embossed paper lined, a bevel to sides. Hinges and clasp are working well. No warp, no bug bites nor cracks. Just a small bit of the veneer lost and marked with "x" for your inspection.
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.
