No, it is not possible to have too many of these fabulous antique cigar cases in finest old c. 1840-70 shell, inlaid with various colors of metal and mother of pearl, abalone. But if you can have only one, this one might well be your first
choice. A beautiful 'Japonaise' decorated work with exotic birds, etc., puts this one squarely in the Napoleon III era in style, and within the genre made fashionable by France's 0 Empress Eugenie, wife of the Emperor (reign c. roughly 1840-1870). A fine case, very well preserved, it's beautiful enough to use as your evening purse/clutch, don't you agree? I've used these, tucking in my glasses (yes, aging baby-boomer that I am, I need reading glasses now); a credit card and a few $100s for an evening out with friends. All who see these love the look and they're a great way to start a conversation, believe me. "What IS that beautiful thing?" is normally how they begin. You'll want your own. This one is particularly lovely!
Very good condition, as shown in detail in our images. Shell is fine, interior is also in very nice condition for your use and enjoyment. Monogram is T. C. and while there are some light surface abrasions on the backside, and a single chip/nibble along rim on backside at one end (look for it in images - hard to even see), it's nothing that will detract from your enjoyment
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. We do hold a valid USFWS license, as well, for import/export, but additional time is required for export, and we are not exporting at this time.
