A splendid bit of the past, this very elegantly inlaid necessaire or grooming etui for the Georgian traveler remains in such fine form, it's a pleasure to bring it to our customers. Unique in that it is not only inlaid with silver pique work, but it's also ornamented with green enamel on the exteror. A beautiful combination of materials along with that rich old shell, it just begs to be in the hand. These traveler's etui held a myriad of implements, though this one retains only 2 of the original ones, as noted. It still has the scent or 'salts' bottle, original, and also the little ivory wafer onto which notes and measurements could be made. Openings remaining within would have also held a stylus for jotting those notes, perhaps an earwax spoon, a toothpick, a slightly larger note or perhaps a thin mirror in that long and thin opening. No monogram engraved on the silver cartouche up top.
Very good condition, exterior showing only 3 modest flaws to the shell (noted in our images), and the interior in fine condition but lacking some of the orignial fitted implements, as noted. Original 'salts' flacon/flask and note wafer in ivory remain. The silver pique work and green enamel are still fully intact, as well. A superb and VERY old treasure! Collect a tabletop full - we can get you started.
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.
