It's kind of hard to imagine, but the entire interior of this elegant c.1820 snuff box has control marks for 18k gold, (c.1818-38). Quite a stunning find when one opens it, frankly, since most often just a trim facing around the portrait will be in 18k gold. We haven't a signature by artist, and no ID on this beautiful young blond woman, but she must have been important to someone. The painting is just gorgeous! I have never taken her out of her mount, so all photos have been taken through the original convex cover glass. You may see a slight glare here or there from the photography lighting, but the painting is just excellent, flat, undamaged. Box is superb in all ways. A real treasure!
Very good to excellent condition, loaded in gold - the entire lining. I have no way to weigh it separate from the balance of the tortoise shell box, but it is heavier in the hand than most. There is not a flaw to report, not even a tiny bug bite nor hip to that gorgeous chocolate colored tortoise shell. A little cognac visible, but predominantly highly polished deep brown/black. Such a museum piece! And over 200 years old.
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.
