A very nicely preserved lathe-turned ivory box, French and likely was originally a Dieppe made Grand Tour souvenir or gift containing a rosary. It is engraved with a monogram (S C) up top, and the condition of this one is exceptionally nice. Indications it might have been used for snuff, or perhaps at some point for face powder with a small goose down powder puff - visible light staining inside. The lid lifts off. Some of this size and type were hinged but this is not one of those. The box is petit, 2 1/2" in diameter and 1 1/2" tall when closed. Displays beautifully!
Very good to excellent condition for age and type, no chips or breaks, no hairlines from natural shrinkage nor damage. Incised monogram with lac fill is still very pretty. There are some discolorations on the interior, as mentioned, which might be indications of it having been used for snuff or for face powder at some point in its 170 year history. From my own lifelong collections, being disbursed.
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.
