A tiny treasure, the caddy or nécessaire, étui, is either in natural shell or a composition of pulverized horn or shell, high quality and with inlaid stringing of 18k gold (one line missing on one side). The interior fitting and hinged caps, funnel are each marked with French boar's head profile, guarantee of .800/1000 silver and with 18k gold heavy micron layering, "Vermeil", which absolutely looks like karat gold. I did not polish. Delicate little beauty, beautifully blown and cut crystal flasks which have no flaws apart from one stopper missing (see photos). Rare to find one of these with the miniature perfume funnel still in the set. Full measurements noted on the photos.
Very good condition for age and type. While it displays as if it is excellent, there are a couple of flaws to note. One strip of the 18k gold stringing has been lost to time, and is marked with x for your review. One stopper has been lost, but the other remains and is original and not stuck. Stunning 2" tall perfume bottles, floral repoussé hinged caps and funnel are just beautiful, no damage. The etui or nécessaire, case, has a couple of tight hairlines, either indicating a very old restored crack, and are both tight and sturdy, but visible with close inspection on one side, particularly if you turn item to an angle of light. I have tried to show those in our detail photos. Again, displays beautifully - a real gem! Dates c. 1838-1860, Restoration to early Napoléon III, Victorian Era.
I am not positive this is tortoise shell, think it might be protein casein (horn or shell) 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.
