Antique Georgian to Empire Era Tortoise Shell Etui, Sterling Silver Pique Necessaire, EC c.1780-1830
A splendid bit of the past, this very elegantly inlaid necessaire or grooming etui for the Georgian traveler remains in such fine form, it's a pleasure to bring it to our customers. Unique in that it is not only inlaid with silver pique work, but it's also ornamented with green enamel on the exteror. A beautiful combination of materials along with that rich old shell, it just begs to be in the hand. These traveler's etui held a myriad of implements, though this one retains only 2 of the original ones, as noted. It still has the scent or 'salts' bottle, original, and also the little ivory wafer onto which notes and measurements could be made. Openings remaining within would have also held a stylus for jotting those notes, perhaps an earwax spoon, a toothpick, a slightly larger note or perhaps a thin mirror in that long and thin opening. No monogram engraved on the silver cartouche up top. Very good condition, exterior showing only 3 modest flaws to the shell (noted in our images), a