Fabulous antique French Napoleon III or Victorian era Palais Royal style ring box or tiny jewelry or trinket casket in natural tortoise shell with mother of pearl accents and gilt bronze/ormolu framework! I've always loved these sweet little c.1830-60 French souvenir trinket boxes, jewelry box or caskets. Very French, metal or ormolu framework with thin natural shell fitted in. Not veneer, but making up the entire panel of side or top. Because that method lends itself to some shrinkage, warp, hairlines and damage if dropped, not so many remain in this era. The one shown here is very sweet, petit and still has the old original violet velvet interior lining in the bottom (missing from the lid). Raised on ball feet. All angles shown for your review.
Very good to excellent condition for age and type. As noted above, and lots of photos to show it well. Raised on 4 ball feet, the ball repeated at hinge and front clasp. The twisted wire handle on top may be a later replacement, solid brass wire. Petit, see pictures for measurements..
