From my collections, this is the most pristine of them all I think. The highest value was given to this semi-transparent lathe-turned natural blond tortoise shell. That this one has 18k gold pique in form of a Fleur de lys and has a centered jewel elevate it even more in its time and now. Likely mid-1700s to as late as 1780, and likely a patch box or lady's snuff box, it remains in incredibly fine condition for age and type. Full measurements noted on the photos.
Very good to excellent condition for age and type, finest materials and possibly a Royal commission or gift (slightly stylized tiny 18k gold flour de lys). Look at the way it's made, a lathe-turned work of art, I've tried to show how translucent it is. This type are rare, mostly only found in museums when you get to this undamaged condition. I did try to determine the centered cabochon 'gem' but it does not register above amethyst on my Presidium Gem Tester II. No chips, no breaks, one small bug bite visible at one side, 1 tight hairline 1/4" long on rim, visible to view on our clear greatly enlarged photos. The boxes shown are just to show the translucent nature of this fine rare material, and are not included. You are buying the round snuff/patch box only in this offering.
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.
