From my personal collections of a long lifetime, the blond tortoise shell items have always been rare to find and treasured, museum pieces (see the reference photo from the V&A museum, London. Dating 250-230 years ago, the fact that some survive for us to enjoy, when the material is so fragile. Almost like fine jewelry.
Good to very good condition for age and type. This one is not perfect, as you can see. The semi-transparency allows you to review the hairlines to the back side. The over-all form is still very beautiful, even with its small flaws, and the spring-back hinge and the clasp are each working. All of that stunning 18k gold pique work is incredible, and as you can see, hardly any of them missing. Imagine artisan and goldsmith creating this, and for whom it might have been created so long ago. A little gem!
