I believe this is a snuff box, but of course it would be just as well a sewing etui or compact, or little evening purse for that matter. It's so beautiful, it ought to be called jewelry, instead. Fine old cognac to chocolate shell comprises the body of the case, and the frame is of hallmarked French silver - the boar's head mark for .800/1000 purity and a silversmith's poincon I cannot read well enough to research it, but we've shown it in our images. An elegant and very well preserved French etui, indeed. Dating some time after 1838, we'd guestimate it mid-1800s, not later. Measurements noted on photos.
Very good condition, the slightest natural imperfections to the steam-formed shell, and no other notations. No bites, chips from damage, and the silver framework, hinge, and all are in perfect order. A spectacular box to display or to use.
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.
