A collection of four boxes, including an enamel box, a wooden…
click the photo to enlarge
A collection of four boxes, including an enamel box, a wooden box and three tortoiseshell boxes

You must be a subscriber, and be logged in to view price and dealer details.

Subscribe Now to view actual auction price for this item

When you subscribe, you have the option of setting the currency in which to display prices to $Au, $US, $NZ or Stg.

This item has been sold, and the description, image and price are for reference purposes only.
  • Tortoiseshell - Tortoiseshell is a translucent material that comes from the horny carapace of a certain types of turtles, including the hawksbill turtle. It is often therefore mounted on a colour underground - often red - or inlaid with gold or silver thread, as seen in Boulle furniture.

    The texture and colour nuances of the material are extremely important. Heated tortoiseshell can easily be formed into various shapes. Like other natural materials, tortoiseshell becomes more beautiful with use. In a time before plastic, tortoiseshell was widely used for small objects such as combs and powder compacts.

    In 1973, the trade of tortoiseshell worldwide was banned under CITES (The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species). Prior to importing or exporting items containing tortoiseshell a CITES permit must be obtained. Tortoiseshell items cannot be traded on Ebay.

    "Faux tortoiseshell", another case of man initiating nature, is made from old-style plastics such as celluloid and cellulos and is coloured with red, yellow and brown spots to imitate the genuine article. It is commonly used in glasses frames, musical instruments and costume jewellery.

This item has been included into following indexes:

Visually similar items

A collection of small boxes including an ivory acorn, a tortoiseshell box, a faceted glass box and a painted landscape lidded box, Continental, 19th century

Sold by in for
You can display prices in $Au, $US, $NZ or Stg.

A group of five assorted sterling silver napkin rings, late 19th century and later. Includes four Australian silver rings, including a lightly engraved ring marked Stokes and an embossed ring with fruits of the vine, marked Birmingham 1904, all hallmarked.

Sold by in for
You can display prices in $Au, $US, $NZ or Stg.

Pair of vintage French binoculars, in original leather case

Sold by in for
You can display prices in $Au, $US, $NZ or Stg.

An Australian 18ct yellow gold band style ring made by Stevenson Bros, Adelaide.

Sold by in for
You can display prices in $Au, $US, $NZ or Stg.