Rare Antique Georgian Era Shagreen Necessaire, Etui with 5pc Original Tools
You know, we've just started an Antiques & Uncommon Treasure site on Facebook, and the first day we have 158 'fans' - so many people truly love antiques, don't they. And is it any wonder when you see something like this magnificent late 1700s gentleman's or officer's vest pocket 'necessaire' and open it to find the fascinating and truly gorgeous fittings within, most of which remain. The tiny spoon is a medicines spoon, some say a snuff spoon, but my research says it's medicinal in nature (okay, so perhaps snuff WAS the medicinal). The beautiflly crafted silver tool with barly-twisted center handle is a toothpick on one end and a tiny ear-wax spoon on the other (yes, fact!). The stylus remains, though it does have a dent in the top end, and the note wafer, which is actually 2 wafers joined by a gromet, remains but is missing 3/4 of the one wafer. The gold knife, contemporary tool for eating just about anything in that time, is in remarkably fine condition. I did not test it. I beli