Inlaid Faux Tortoiseshell and Mother-of-Pearl Card Case With Floral Motif

Details

Description

An elegant small folding card case likely English, finely constructed in richly patinated tortoiseshell panels and decorated to the exterior … Read more An elegant small folding card case likely English, finely constructed in richly patinated tortoiseshell panels and decorated to the exterior with an inlaid floral spray composed of iridescent mother-of-pearl elements. The foliate motif is articulated through delicately cut petal and leaf forms, set within a gently scrolling vine rendered in contrasting dark inlay, creating a refined and restrained decorative focus against the warm translucency of the tortoiseshell ground.

The case is formed with softly rounded edges and a hinged construction that opens to a shallow interior, consistent with late 19th to early 20th century personal accessories such as cigarette cases, card cases, or small snuff or vanity boxes. The compact scale, folding action, and absence of deep internal compartments suggest a purpose aligned with personal use rather than storage, reflecting the period’s taste for discreet luxury objects intended for pocket or handbag carry.

The use of tortoiseshell combined with mother-of-pearl inlay aligns with long-standing European traditions of decorative smallwares, drawing upon techniques popularized in the 18th century and revived in the Victorian and Edwardian periods. Comparable examples appear among French and Italian workshop productions, as well as Anglo-Continental luxury accessory makers, though no definitive attribution can be made without marks.


Measures
2.75" w x 3.875" h See less