Antique French c.1770- 1830 Georgian Era Patch Box, Toothpick Case, Tortoise Shell Navette with Silver Pique
Is that a heart in the pique? I think it is. I love this old thing! This type of patch box or toothpick case was popular in England and Europe from c.1740-1830, and we find them made in numerous fine natural materials such as this one in tortoise shell with fine sterling silver pique and cartouche worked into the surface, and even in precious metals such as gold and silver, as well. The navette form is a personal favorite, though I love the old mourning ones with their hair art 'paintings' protected under glass, too. The interior lid normally would have an old mercury mirror, though this one no longer has one. These were used for patch storage and application, a 'patch' being those black circles applied with adhesive to one's face like a beauty mark. A strange practice, to be sure, by today's standard at least, those black dots often covered other unsightly blemishes, but were thought of as beauty marks against the pale powdered faces of the most stylish elite. A beautiful little b