I used to wear this on a gold chain when I'd go on buying trips, often pulling it up to look for the very tiny silversmith marks or gold marks. It dates c. 1850-70, Napoleon III or mid-Victorian era. Entirely crafted in fine tortoise shell, it hasn't a single flaw. There are 4 gradients in the loupe, which can be used in aggregate or alone. One tiny one isn't a lens, but is perhaps a tool for figuring engineering distances. I'm unsure of that one. The other 3 have their original magnifying lens intact. Silver mount and what appears to be a gold pin as hinge. Bale up top for laniard or chain. It is tiny! Just 1 5/8" long and 3/4" widest, 1/2" in depth.
Very good to excellent condition for age and type. I can find no flaw to note. Measurements noted on the photos. A nice cognac to chocolate coloration to the outer tortoise shell, and chocolate color to the interior 4 panels.
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.
