Antique English Georgian Era Toothpick case in Tortoise Shell and Silver Pique
Silver pique in the Georgian or 'Regency' period toothpick and/or patch box you see here, all entirely in place against the chocolate and cognac colored natural tortoise shell. Beautifully crafted and with a hinged lid that is shaped to recess to the lip, as you can see in our images. Nicely crafted c. 1770-1820, and in very good condition as well, but that it appears someone at some later date has relined it with non-original velvet. The original use for these navette- shaped etui was as a holder for either the face patches (beauty marks) that were popular in its time, or for tooth hygiene to include a scraper and a toothpick which were often made of gold. This one would also have had an old silvered mirror glass mounted inside the lid. Still, it survives mostly intact and is a charming reminder of its time and of the fashions unique to that era. Very good condition for age and type. As noted, the mirror that would have been attached to interior of lid is no longer there, and some