From my collections, now being disbursed, a fine 18th century snuff or patch box mounted with the portrait of a dignitary or Noble, set into recessed mount with 18k gold facing. The old convex cover glass fully in place, I've never taken this one apart, wishing not to bend or damage the old gold, so there is a very slight haze to the inside of the glass. It shows more in digital photos, really, and the painting is beautifully done and would show more perfectly if the interior glass could be wiped clean. I will leave it to the next owner. An unusually tall box for the era, it is superbly crafted in ivory and lined and rimmed in tortoise shell, so shipping/sale restrictions apply (note below). The gold has been acid tested, but I can't tell how thick the facing is. Typical of this era, it might be facing attached to a lesser metal. Not thin like plating or foil, but also does not comprise the entirety of the portrait mount. If removed, it's easier to see the depth of the gold facing. Full measurements noted on the photos.
Very good to excellent condition for age and type, dating c.1750-80, I can point out very fine shrinkage hairline extending a little out from the round tortoise shell trim in center of bottom. Also, I have shown in detail photo, there are 2 hairlines on the tortoise shell liner. Tight and stable, all. Mentioned above, the cover glass has not been removed to clean interior, which does have a fine haze of age/superfine dust. Very fine portrait will show better without the slight haze. The mount is recessed slightly, making me also wonder if there might be more information within. Mount does not pry easily and I'm averse to forcing it at all. Will leave that decision to next owner.
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.
