The little thimble has gone missing over time, as you can see, but the scissors, needle case and stiletto remain within the elegant old tortoise shell case. Thimble is probably the easiest replacement to find, though this is a small one. The 3 pieces you see are all original and matching, lovely. The outer case is spectacular, no lifts or losses to all of that pique or marquetry, boulle-like inlays, and the serpentine form thrills the hand! One wonders to whom it originally belonged. I have not acid tested the gold, as I do think it is not karat gold.
Very good to excellent condition for age and type, it is missing 2 implements: bodkin (ribbon-threading needle) and thimble, each of which are actually the simplest to find and replace. The remaining e objects/tools do match and are the originals. The interior of this case is elaborate, elegant, and certainly fitting for an outer case this grand. Serpentine form carved in finest chocolate and cognac tortoise shell, then inlaid with a generous lot of gold and silver. The gold is, more than likely, karat gold. Measurements for the etui are noted on the images. A lovely little set, very likely from the boutiques of the early 1800s Palais Royal. I had a slightly larger one, likely the same maker, but it was filled with 18k gold implements, and has been sold. Please note there is one flaw on the outer case, I have marked it for your review with 'x'. Not bad, a single ding. Case opens and claps closed smoothly and well, too. A real beauty!
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.
