Superb Antique French Coin Purse in Tortoise Shell, Gold and Mother of Pearl Pique

$545.00

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One of the most breathtaking little coin purses ever, and with absolutely pristine shell panels both front and back, expanding kid leather baffles fully intact and even the interior is remarkably unscathed by time. This is a mid-1800s treasure of finest quality. The cartouche is monogrammed with an "E" and is very likely karat gold, though I have not tested it to be sure. It has not tarnished over time, while the frame of the coin had, so another indication it may be inlaid in gold. There are also accent dots of mother of pearl or abalone, which reflect a changing rainbow of colors, and the pique work is finished with little silver leaves. We have not polished those, but I'm sure they'll come up high sterling silver bright if our buyer wishes them to show so. We've had many many beautiful shell items, as those of you who watch us know, and even so, one like this comes into our inventory only rarely. It is of finest quality and condition throughout, for a tortie item of its age. Really a joy to behold. If you've been waiting for that perfect one - this is it!

Excellent condition for age and type. There isn't so much as a bug nip anywhere on these panels of deeply convex-carved shell, and the pique work is all intact, likely 18k gold though I have not tested it so will not claim it to be. There is also silver and abalone or mother of pearl to reflect rainbows of changing color and shimmer-shine in light. Frame is in fine repair and so is the pleated leather baffle on each side that allows the purse to expand another .5" or so in depth. There is slightest dinginess to the original blue silk moire satin interior, but no splits or tears, and no deterioration we often see in old silk. This one has been treasured and used seldom, if ever. The slightest surface abrasion can be seen on the backside in our greatly enlarged first image, but in person you will not even see that. Really a gem!

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.