Rare Antique French c.1700s Tortoise Shell and 18k Gold Pique Snuff Box
Fine craftsmanship on this rare c.1750s snuff box, dark opaque chocolate brown tortoise shell with exquisite border pique in 18k gold. Some of the finest work, and so well preserved for these 270 or so years. Lathe-crafted and carved rare tortoise shell is incised in a repetitive circular patter overall, enhanced by the mall open circles that overlay the general circular incision work. Very interesting old one. The entire top and bottom border is painstakingly marked and cut and inlaid with an elaborate goldsmith's work of tiny 18k ornament, and hardly a one gone missing. This one has been treasured but some bugs have found it. From the Louis XV to Louis XVI reigns, France. Petit, to be tucked into a vest pocket, it's possible it was a patch box rather than a snuff, in this size range. You know - the little black dots people stuck to their faces to cover lesions, or to mimic beauty marks in an era when doing so was fashionable at Court. One can only guess at its history, but we do kno