SET OF TEN ANTIQUE TORTOISESHELL BOXES AND OBJETS DE VERTU

i) Oval-shaped snuff box with silver (?) decoration and King’s profile, 7 x 8,5 cm condition: overall good condition, small crack on the reverse ii) Dance card with silver inlay and monogram, pen inside, 6.7 x 10.3 cm iii) Cylindrical box decorated with pearls, H. 7.2 cm iv) Small Rectangular box, 3.5 x 6 x 1.6 cm v) Eye glasses box with gilt flower gilt inlay, 5.8 x 11 cm condition: overall good condition, minor chips and crack vi) Dance card with mother-of pearl decoration and pencil, 5.6 x 3.9 cm vii) Cigarette box, 7.5 x 8 cm condition: overall good condition, minor cracks viii) Wallet studded with yellow gold stars and a central shield, 5.4.x 7.2 cm ix) Box inlaid with silver, 3 x 5.4 x 2.6 cm x) Cigarette box with cigarettes inside, 5.1 x 9.5 x 2.8 cm condition: minor chip on right corner Tortoiseshell items were popular in the mid-1800’s. The world of travel was just opening up and items made from this exotic material were highly prized by the Victorians. The Victorians were masters of elevating useful, everyday items to things of beauty. Boxes and cases were made to hold common items like: tea, needles, sewing items and thimbles, snuff, calling cards, eye glasses, hair pins, and jewelry.