Antique c.1770s French Bonboniere, Patch or Snuff Box, Seed Pearls, Gold Wire, Ivory
Petit bonbon or patch or snuff box, 2" diameter, a bombe cover glass over an arrangement of seed pearls and gold wire, worked on a panel of glass. Set as the lid on this lathe-turned carved ivory box, it's just a little jewel, really. A monogram L worked in such minuscule pears, it's quite amazing. Definitely 18th century, I've had so few as special and early as this. Very good to excellent condition for age and type, it's quite amazing it is so complete. I will mention 2 flaws of age: the gold wires used have, some, come loose from the glass to which they were once adhered. There is a hairline shrinkage crack on one spot in the side of the lid (see images). No chips, no cracks. 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 s