One from my own collection, decades of enjoyment of it being mine. A while back we had a tea caddy done in this mother of pearl inlay against rich chocolate and cognac mottled tortoise shell, and it sold so fast - I still miss it. We have several card cases and one magnificent large sewing compendium, box, also - sold separately. I was thrilled to find that same French style of early tortie and mop marquetry work this time in a cigar case. Some claim these are actually also tea caddies, and once in a while they're foil lined which can be a bit confusing, but this size/style (even foil lined) are typically cigar cases. Not a vest pocket style, to be sure, but a bureau or tabletop case for office or den, table. Some would pretend it's a purse, or a spectacles case - just to add it to their collections (smile). The work is beautifully done. The case is elegantly well preserved. Full measurements noted on the photos. c. 1840-70s, Napoleon III (early to mid-Victorian).
Very good to excellent condition, age considered. Stunning old shell is rich in color, fine in finish and has no chips or cracks, no losses. Hinge and clasp tight and working well. The only flaw I can locate on it is the tiniest nip of a bit of mother of pearl at the tip of one petal. Now I can't even find it in our images, but do want you to know there is a tiny one somewhere there.
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.
