Fabulous antique Victorian era hand carved genuine ivory cigar, cheroot or eyeglasses case, an exquisitely detailed figural facade with pipe smoking man & floral decoration and a carved rear with "DF"(?) monogramed medallion! With a nod to the small age/drying crack on the monogrammed side, this piece is nearly pristine. Original leather baffles and red moire silk lined interior are all remarkable given it's age and the materials.
The use of ivory in the Victorian era was prolific, driven by a combination of its beautiful appearance and its unique physical properties. It was a durable, yet easily carvable material that could be polished to a brilliant sheen. The expansion of the British Empire into Africa provided a vast and largely unregulated supply, leading to a dramatic increase in its use beyond purely decorative luxury items. This one a real treasure and something you definitely wouldn't be surprised to see in the V&A or other prominent museum.
Very good to excellent condition, age considered. As noted above, there is that one age/drying crack on the monogrammed portion but, as you can see in the images, this one is overall fantastic. See pictures for all measurements.
