First of all, this is exceptionally rare in tortoise shell. The cases like these were made more typically in leather, but I have never seen another in fine mid-1800s chocolate and cognac mottled tortoise shell. Both interior silk lining and the outer hard shell case, itself, remain in excellent undamaged condition. There are 2 pairs of scissors within, and a space for a 3rd, but the 2 are not original to the case. I would imagine a 3-scissor set of very ornate and/or sterling silver or perhaps gold handled scissors would have been more to the stature of this special case. I've owned it for decades. I always intended to do some special searches for scissors to fit, but just never took the time. Perhaps you will. A sewing collector's dream! Full measurements noted on the photos.
Very good to excellent condition throughout, as noted above. There are no chips nor cracks, no losses to any of the tortoise shell, no warp and no bug bites. Hinge and clasp are each working perfectly. The interior claret red silk is also exceptional, complete and not tattered. The only notation being that the 2 pairs of vintage to antique scissors within are not likely original (perhaps one might be, but they're not matching so definitely not both). A very special case, etui, scissors box - priced for itself alone.
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.
