Not perfect, but beautiful to display, and certainly could be used. I see it in store display at a fine cigar store. Each piece (cigar holder and match vesta) in dark chocolate tortoise shell mounted with a monogrammed 18k gold crest with crown monogram, meaning the set was originally made for a titled person. In France, it's not legal to use a crown unless rightfully entitled by title. On bottom is a store's paper etiquette (label), so we know it was initially purchased in Nimes, France. Full measurements noted on photos.
Very good to excellent condition for age and type. NAPOLÉON III (Victorian) era, possibly slightly later, Belle Epoch luxury. The box is superb inside and out. The match vesta is excellent for age, striker along the bottom. That elegant cigar holder is flawed, however. On the underside, one can see a long hairline from being dropped, I suppose. Perhaps the mouthpiece broke at that time. Likely it was an ivory mouth piece. The mount for it remains and I suppose replacements can be ordered, though I'm not sure where. If you're a cigar dealer, or smoker, you'll know. Price discounted due to the holder.
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.
