Almost predictably, a French decorative style will have a revival a century later, as is the case with this mid-1800s snuff or patch box made in the manner of those of a century earlier. The original style was very popular in the last half 1700s, Louis XV to XVI period, often in form of a hinged interior patch or 'boîte á mouche" in fine blond tortoise shell with 18k gold pique work, hinge, cartouche. This one is reconstituted protein, difficult to pin down whether from horn or shell, or even dyed milk protein (casein). I didn't test the pique work, which may be lower karat gold, but my feel of these is that they are a bright gold alloy, low k. That said, this is a beauty, and full measurements are noted on the photos.
Very good to excellent condition for age and type. It retains nearly all of its pique, border (one tiny corner piece out), and cartouche, smooth tight hinge, no warp, and closes smoothly. It does have tiny fine hairlines you will see clearly in our enlarged photos. No bug bites, again more likely found if the material were natural tortoise shell rather than faux.
