Splendid Antique Tiara Comb 19th Century Tortoise Shell, 14k Lava Cameo, Grand Tour Souvenir
Large and elegantly crafted early to mid-1800 mantilla or tiara ornamental comb in exquisite tortoise shell, a hand carved lava cameo mounted in 14k gold at center. From my own collections of decades, being disbursed now. Beautiful coloration to the natural shell and really quite pristine in condition - someone's Grand Tour souvenir of either Italy (Naples area) or of France. Full measurements noted on the photos. Very good to excellent condition for age and type, over 170 years of age, and I don't see a single flaw to note. Even the face on the cameo is perfect. We've had it stored for decades in an archival pouch. The tortoise shell is lustrous and just stunning on this one. 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 so