A rare and special treat, this 2 1/2" diameter patch or snuff box is a tiny work of Master carver's art, likely from Dieppe carvers, and definitely pre-1800. The intricately carved border of ivy and vine encloses a miniature homestead, farm, complete with sows and dog and buildings of a town or village. Beautifully crafted throughout, and now 270 or so years of age. Full measurements noted on the photos. This is one from my own collections gathered through 4 decades of active searches for the most wonderful antiques of France, particularly, and of Europe. Time to disburse them. What fun I've had. I love what I do!
Very good to excellent with consideration of age and type. There really are no breaks nor chips, no restorations, and a single age/shrinkage hairline which is to be expected based on the material and age. Marked on the interior with an "x" for your review, you can also see it on the exterior lid. It is sturdy, not moving. Smallish, but both snuff and patch boxes of mid-1700s were just this size. RARE to find a dog and cows so nicely shown in this pastoral carving.
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.
