You've probably sat in that square with a Blini in hand, listening to the evening bands playing one, then another at the restaurants. The view and all eyes on the brilliant icon of Venice, the Basilica San Marco with the Doge's Palace, Bridge of Sighs just beyond, and the Bell Tower in front, in view. I've walked there many times, down each side walkway - no 'streets' in Venice. Venice is one of the most magical places, a true step back in time, and this is the most famous square in the world. Surely on everyone's Grand Tour itinerary from c.1700s onward as the world began to really experience itself in travel "abroad". This cigar case, in superb c.1850-60s tortoise shell, has a generously sized eglomise (back-painted glass) view and it is just exceptionally fine. Some use these old cases, as I have, as an evening or after-hours 'purse'. Tuck in your credit card, some business cards, your car fob, and palm carry this incredibly interesting conversation starter - just for fun. Some use these for spectacles cases. The leather baffled sides allow the case to expand to hold cigars on each side, of course, as it was originally a cigar case. Nearly 6" long, full measurements noted on the photos.
Very good to excellent condition for age and type. One of the finest in my collection, and quite rare to have Venice scene (usually these are Paris views). The mounted cartouche of back-painted glass is backed by foil or mother or pearl and shimmers in light in the windows, doorway of the old San Marco. No missing paint, no chips nor cracks in the cover glass. The old original silk interior is remarkably unscathed by time (one small area stain). The outer panels of tortoise shell are beautifully mottled in chocolate to cognac coloration and are without warping or malformation, no chips, no cracks or breaks, but there are several very small bug bites on the back panel, showing as light recesses mostly below the double oval cartouche which is not yet monogrammed. Look there to evaluate. The front facing panel with San Marcos is pristine, not even a lift to the ornamental inlay of brass around perimeter. A really special one - a personal favorite!
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.
