Rare 18th century Revolutionary era gentleman, c.1770-80s, likely a notable figure from the era but we have no identification. The magnificent work of art is unsigned but just stunning. Mounted in a superb and near-pristine 250 year old ivory and tortoise shell snuff box, entirely original. Rare to fine one of these without some damage or loss, but this one is spectacular. Lined and trimmed in such delicately worked tortoise shell, even the inset on bottom is still there. When I added this one to my collection, there was so much dust both inside and outside the cover glass, I dismounted it and the quality of the portrait simply took my breath away. And yet no artist's signature is there to tell us whose work we should admire. Likewise, no information about the ID of the man. In putting it back together, I just could not find the perfect inset alignment of that super-fragile tortoise shell rim and so you'll note there is a .5mm to 1mm rise on one spot. That is the single notable flaw. And that is truly amazing! Museum piece!
Excellent condition throughout, age and type considered. No cracks, no chips, no hairlines, no bug bites. The top and bottom halves are perfectly fitted and slide smoothly on and off - no warp. So rare to not have a single shrinkage/age hairline in ivory this old. In putting it back together, I just could not find the perfect inset alignment of that super-fragile tortoise shell rim and so you'll note there is a .5mm to 1mm rise on one spot. That is the single notable flaw. And that is truly amazing!
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.
