Making best design use of the flaring cognac to chocolate mottling of mid-19th century tortoise shell, this one is a little work of art and one of my own favorites in my lifelong collection. I wish you could feel how this one fits the hand, slight curves and a little bit convex on side panels, it's made to be held. Note the pique work on all sides, which might be karat gold, but I have not found a way to test it. Nearly 4", I used to use it with my America standard business cards, which will (barely) fit. Full measurements noted on the photos.
Very good to excellent condition for age and type - as you've come to expect from us. We search out the best for you, for ourselves. This one has a single tiny innocuous 'flaw' - a bug bite near the clasp, which I've pointed out on the photos for your review. The fine tortoise shell is otherwise perfect, no chips, no losses. An unmonogrammed tiny cartouche up top in case you'll want it monogrammed. Inner lined lip of ivory is complete, as you can see, and a red silk lining remains intact. Hinge and clasp are each complete and working perfectly.
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.
