One I've had for decades and a personal favorite, this would have been an early to mid-1800s cigar case or box. It has a foiled lining, affirmation that it was meant to keep the tobacco products a little moist but not damage the old wood body of the case. It's larger than you think, and could hold 8 cheroot easily, which is likely its early purpose. I show it here with 4 Churchill by Davidoff cigars and they're loose in the box. Nicely hiniged and the clasp works, and just look at the beauty of the antique tortoise shell - mottled cognac to chocolate, each panel perfectly in place and without loss or damage. It has an engraved small silver cartouche, "R. A. Izon". Full measurements noted on the photos.
Very good to excellent condition for age and type. I find no bug bites, chips, cracks nor losses to all that beautiful tortoise shell, which is quite rare. I can point out 2 minor flaws, however: some of the thin silver stringing is lost to time, and also it seems the clasp part of the lid might be missing an ivory trim piece just there. The clasp does work, hinge is strong. There is remnant of original foil lining within. The box is not for vest - it's a table box. Just wait 'til your next after-hours with clients or partners, a little cigar on offering. Compliments will erupt, and perhaps some envy. I love this one!
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.
