Finest quality shagreen, 'galuchat', leather made of the fine belly scales of the stingray, this luxury leather is mostly seen in luxurious goods of the 1700s, and only rarely in early 20th century, yet here is one such example. It would have been offered originally in a very fine shop or jeweler's boutique, purses and fans department of an elegant store. You see it has gems set into the 3 sections as clasp and compartment openers. A removable lipstick holder, a powder compact and a full section for mirror and an early celluloid panel to write upon - such an elegant little palm-sized evening bag. Full measurements are noted on the photos.
Very good to excellent condition for age and type, it's rare to find a galuchat/shagreen object like this that isn't torn. It's a fragile thin leather - great luxury and meant to be seen but not for 'everyday' use. I anticipated I'd find this one to be fine French silver with 18k gold layering (vermeil), but it does not have silver marks and I think it is, instead, a gold plated brass alloy. Very bright, looks like vermeil. One of the semi-precious gems is damaged, a crack, chip. I'm unsure what gems they are, perhaps sapphire, which stones I've seen in these before. This is the first one I've ever seen that has shagreen. RARE!
