A most unique and exceptionally fine case in fine old shell with the usual opulent gold and silver pique and inlaid cartouche. The case is in excellent condition, as you can see, and each of the original fitted vanity tools remain inside. Scissors, button hook, nail file and etc., and a pocket knife all fitted in their recesses. Quite unusual, we've never found a similar one.
Very good to excellent condition throughout. The only flaw I can find to mention is a very very small roughness-like chip at one hinge and then a round bug bite along one rim, each marked in our images with an 'x' so you can review them. Age to the steel parts of interior implements, but the shell handles are superb. A stunningly fine old mid-1800s set.
The vast majority of worked and antique object tortoise shell material comes from the shells of two species of sea turtles: the hawksbill (Eretmo-chelys imbricata) and, more rarely, the green turtle (see box A). The shells of these turtles exhibit attractive patterns that normally consist of light to dark brown patches, though a homogeneous “cream”-colored variety called blond tortoise shell also exists.
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.
