This is an 18th century lacquer snuff box, similarly crafted in an era which also produced the Vernis Martin method. The box is very slender lathe-turned wood with many coats of lacquer creating its outer coating and unique finish. Interior is fine rich chocolate to cognac tortoise shell, and without a bit of loss or damage - a museum piece. Protected these 250+ years beneath the original convex cover glass we have Cupid looking back, a sad look, carrying a torch and a flower garlanded shield upon which 4 words are written. And I cannot make them out. The iconography speaks to a love gone wrong or gone away, mourned, yet for whom still burns a fire, and a torch is held to light his or her way back. Charming, with Cupid's face a tiny 1/8" from chin to hairline. Measurements are noted on the photos.
Very good to excellent, late 1700s to very earliest 1800s (possibly a soldier is gone, one could almost interpret the draping over Cupid's shoulders to be a uniform). Well treasured, it has no flaws to note. Very slight evidence of age to exterior, but no breaks or chips, cracks. I did not remove the mount and painting in fear of causing damage as it seems tightly in place. Sweet memento of a love gone away.
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.
