Antique French Tortoiseshell Box, Circa 1880
Antique French Tortoiseshell Box, Circa 1880
Couldn't load pickup availability
I love the shell on this one: warm amber with dark mottling, and a lid that has aged to a deeper, smoky brown. The outline is gently serpentine, with a cream rim, small domed feet and a brass push-button catch on the front. Inside, burgundy velvet lines the lid and tray. It's a dressing table box sized for jewelry, ribbons or small keepsakes.
Antique condition consistent with age. There is a short crack in the shell at the top right of the lid. Nothing is missing, and the crack is shown in the photographs. The shell surface has fine scratches and wear from handling, and the lid has darkened with age. There is a small chip in the cream rim near the front catch.
The velvet lining is loose in places and worn, with some lifting at the edges. It appears to be original to the box. The covering on the base is worn, with a light patch and a slightly lifted lower edge. The brass hinge and catch are present. The domed feet are present and secure in the photographs.
Please review all photographs closely, as they form part of this description.
Shipping & Returns
All antique and vintage items are shipped from our warehouse in Bluffdale, Utah. Each piece is carefully packed by hand using archival materials and custom crating when necessary.
Shipping costs are calculated at checkout based on the size and weight of the item. Local pickup is available at the AMD Warehouse.
Furniture is the exception. Because of size and weight, furniture shipping is quoted separately rather than calculated at checkout. Send a DM on Instagram or email austynmariedesign@gmail.com for a quote, or arrange your own shipping from the warehouse.
All sales of antique and vintage items are final due to their unique, one-of-a-kind nature. Illuminé candles and The Collector's Guide may be returned within 14 days of delivery if unopened and in original condition.
If your piece arrives damaged, please photograph the damage immediately (including packaging), contact us within 48 hours at austynmariedesign@gmail.com, and do not discard any packaging.
Important Info About Antique & Vintage
Every antique and vintage item we carry has lived a life before arriving in your home. These are not factory-made products. They are objects with history, character, and the marks of time.
Age-appropriate wear, patina, minor imperfections, and signs of previous use or repair are inherent to antique and vintage items and are not considered defects. These characteristics are part of what makes each piece unique and are often what give it its beauty and value.
We describe the condition of each piece as accurately as possible in the listing. If you have specific questions about a piece before purchasing, please reach out. We are always happy to provide additional photos or details.
Colors may appear slightly different on screen due to monitor settings and photography lighting. We do our best to represent each item accurately.
Descriptions, dates, attributions, materials, and measurements are provided in good faith and reflect our best assessment based on research, physical examination, and the information available to us. Antique and vintage pieces often carry incomplete or unverifiable histories. Where a detail is an assessment rather than a confirmed fact, it is identified as such. Measurements are approximate. All items are sold as-is, with the photographs and condition report governing.
