I've collected these for decades. The little vest pocket "necessaire" of the late 1700s to earliest 1800s. This one is exceptionally find and complete but for a small pocket knife. You can see the openings in our photos, and note that all of the other originals are there. Scent flask, stylus/pencil, 2-page note pad, hinged and with some writing still visible, tweezers and a toothpick with ear wax spoon on other end, another similar but with bodkin stringing opening for ribbon. I think the stylus which would have been a metal pointed piece has been replaced with a later era pencil of wood.
Very good to excellent condition for age and type. The case (etui) itself is in remarkably fine condition on this one. All pique work still there and no missing panels or cracks. I see one tiny bug bite on that bottom panel's rim, and that's all. The coloration is a rich chocolate to cognac mottle which is everyone's favorite. Beautiful crafted, and not even a tiny chip on that scent or salts flask which would have had a small cork. Hinge and push-button clasp are each in perfect condition. Misses a little folding pocket knife.
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.
