Some question, really, on these 19th century 'revival' snuff boxes made like those earlier c.1700s ones - whether this material is blond tortoise shell, or a composite of various proteins, casein instead. Without DNA testing, it's not possible to be certain, since a burn (needle) test gives off the burning protein the same as for fine old tortoise shell. Understanding these may have some shell, some horn, some milk proteins in the mysterious mix, we will just acknowledge it may be any of the above. This is a c.1800s box, not c.1700s. Beautifully crafted, and with elegant pique work just like those of a century before, they're a lot more affordable. Still a beautiful display piece. This one is a smallish oval, tall, perhaps a patch box feel to it, though it is a snuff box. Measurements are noted on the photos.
Very good to excellent condition for age and type, there seem not to be any of the tiny gold pique dots missing, the brass and silver, same. Beautifully crafted, you can see the old seam along one side, and there is one area that seems disrupted on the bottom panel, not really a crack, but something. Stable as you see it, no bug bites. Charming florals. Such an art, these!
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.
