Pristine c.1880-1910 French tortoise shell spectacles case complete with the prescription reading glasses (very strong magnification) still inside. Excellent, no flaws notable. The glasses are triple plated in 18k gold, but are not solid gold. The pins used on the case are 18k gold. A very fine item in its time and such an elegant desktop accent, or to rest atop a stack of antique leather bound books. I can't begin to assess the magnification, but to say I can't see a thing through them, so not likely to be useful unless you might have the lenses replaced with your own reading glasses prescription. Fabulous to pull out of your purse, so smooth and elegant.
Very good to excellent condition, the case has not a single flaw to note. 18k gold pins in the creation of it, clasp holds well and no loss at hinges. The interior is lined with a light brown silk velvet. Eyeglasses have been used, are obviously prescription, quite powerful. No breaks to lenses, and they are triple-clad in 18k gold, but are not solid gold frames. The case is 4 3/4" long, 2" wide and 7/8" thickest when closed.
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.
