RARE bas relief of a lesser known French King, Louis XVIII (1755-1824). Known as the Desired, was King of France from 1814 to 1824, except for the Hundred Days in 1815. He spent twenty-three years in exile: during the French Revolution and the First French Empire, and during the Hundred Days. Born at the Palace of Versailles, King of France from April 1814 to March 1815 and again from July 1815 to September 1824. He became king with the Bourbon Restoration of the monarchy after the overthrow of Napoleon I. He ruled a constitutional monarchy, meaning he was not the main leader of his government. This snuff box which is very old and bears his likeness in a pressed or molded manner. I admit, I am unsure of the material but I do think it is steam-softened pulped wood, which has been machined into form. It is lined, as was typical, in tortoise shell. An unusual item, I'd say a commemorative piece marking either his ascension to the throne, or his death. It would appear perhaps the latter, studying his portraits. And it would be about right for age: 1824 or so. Notable: Louis XVIII died in the Louvre, Paris.
Very good to excellent for age and type. The steam-moulded tortoise shell snuff box is unique, and in fine shape for age with only a little disruption to the inner lip (see images). The outer box, closed for display, is superb. Measurements are noted on the photos, but it is more pocket snuff sized at 3 3/8" diameter.
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.
