Antique French Hand Carved Dieppe Ivory Plaque, Possibly Purse Side, Psyche and Cupid Figural
Early to mid-1800s, possibly earlier, this is a perfect carved plaque, seems to me to have been carved perhaps as one side of a large coin purse or tobacco pouch. It has never been put to use. I have collected similarly carved mother of pearl sides and fan monture, etc., through the decades, and will be offering those soon, too. The subject on this one is Psyche and Cupid, Psyche turning her head away from Cupid. Love's rejection pose. Excellent condition. The plaque is pristine, no flaws, no warp, flat and still has the original paper sticker on back. Dates c.1850 or earlier. 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 v