19th Century French Tortoiseshell & Gold Étui, Napoleon III Period
19th Century French Tortoiseshell & Gold Étui, Napoleon III Period
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Item: 19th Century French Tortoiseshell & Gilt-Metal Single Cigar Case / Étui, Napoleon III Period
Additional Description
A beautifully refined 19th-century French cylindrical cigar case, or étui à cigare, fashioned from richly mottled dark tortoiseshell and finished with finely decorated gilt-metal mounts.
The elongated tubular body is made in two fitted sections, the upper portion lifting away to reveal the warm translucent interior of the shell. The exterior is encircled by multiple narrow gilt-metal bands, each worked with a delicate repeating foliate or bead-and-scroll pattern. A matching gilt rim finishes the base and upper edge, giving the otherwise restrained form a distinctly luxurious presentation.
The shell itself is especially attractive, appearing almost black in normal light but revealing warm amber, cognac, and reddish-brown mottling where the material becomes translucent. The contrast between the dark shell and finely chased gilt mounts is characteristic of high-quality French personal accessories of the Napoleon III period.
Its narrow cylindrical proportions strongly suggest that it was made as a single-cigar travelling case, designed to protect one cigar in a gentleman’s pocket or traveling kit. Individual cigar étuis became fashionable during the 19th century as cigar smoking spread through fashionable European society, and examples were produced in tortoiseshell, horn, leather, silver, and precious-metal-mounted materials.
A French auction catalogue records a Napoleon III tortoiseshell cigar case measuring approximately 14.5 cm in length, demonstrating the use of tortoiseshell for luxury cigar accessories of this period. Gazette Drouot
Era
Circa 1850–1880
Origin
France
Style
Napoleon III / Second Empire
Object Type
Single cigar case / étui à cigare
Materials
- Tortoiseshell
- Gilt metal, likely brass or bronze
- Engraved / chased decorative mounts
Dimensions
Please add:
___” H × ___” diameter
History
Portable cigar cases became an increasingly fashionable gentleman’s accessory during the 19th century, protecting individual cigars from crushing while traveling or moving through the city.
French makers produced particularly elegant examples using luxury tabletterie materials such as tortoiseshell, mother-of-pearl, horn, and exotic woods, often embellished with gilt-brass, silver, or gold mounts. Surviving Napoleon III examples demonstrate that tortoiseshell was a favored material for cigar cases during the second half of the century. Proantic
The simplicity of this example is especially elegant: rather than elaborate piqué work or applied monograms, the visual interest comes from the translucency and natural mottling of the shell contrasted against finely patterned gilt bands.
Marks / Signature
No visible maker’s mark or hallmark observed in the photographs provided.
Condition
Good antique condition with wear consistent with age and use. The tortoiseshell retains a strong polished surface and attractive translucency, with expected fine scratches, rubbing, and minor surface wear.
There appears to be a small chip or loss at the upper rim of the lower section, visible when the case is opened. Gilt-metal mounts show expected rubbing, darkening, and age-related wear while retaining much of their decorative definition.
The fitted two-part construction remains intact.
Please review all photographs closely as they form part of the condition description.
Provenance
France, likely second half of the 19th century.
Disclaimers
This object appears visually consistent with genuine antique tortoiseshell; the material has not been scientifically tested.
Tortoiseshell is a regulated wildlife material. International shipment and commercial sale may be subject to CITES and other federal, state, or national restrictions, even when the object is antique. Buyers are responsible for understanding any applicable restrictions in their jurisdiction. I would avoid offering international shipping on this piece without confirming the applicable documentation requirements.
Dating, country of origin, and original function are based upon form, construction, materials, and comparable period examples and should be regarded as approximate unless further documentation is discovered.
Item: 19th Century French Tortoiseshell & Gilt-Metal Single Cigar Case / Étui, Napoleon III Period
Additional Description
A beautifully refined 19th-century French cylindrical cigar case, or étui à cigare, fashioned from richly mottled dark tortoiseshell and finished with finely decorated gilt-metal mounts.
The elongated tubular body is made in two fitted sections, the upper portion lifting away to reveal the warm translucent interior of the shell. The exterior is encircled by multiple narrow gilt-metal bands, each worked with a delicate repeating foliate or bead-and-scroll pattern. A matching gilt rim finishes the base and upper edge, giving the otherwise restrained form a distinctly luxurious presentation.
The shell itself is especially attractive, appearing almost black in normal light but revealing warm amber, cognac, and reddish-brown mottling where the material becomes translucent. The contrast between the dark shell and finely chased gilt mounts is characteristic of high-quality French personal accessories of the Napoleon III period.
Its narrow cylindrical proportions strongly suggest that it was made as a single-cigar travelling case, designed to protect one cigar in a gentleman’s pocket or traveling kit. Individual cigar étuis became fashionable during the 19th century as cigar smoking spread through fashionable European society, and examples were produced in tortoiseshell, horn, leather, silver, and precious-metal-mounted materials.
A French auction catalogue records a Napoleon III tortoiseshell cigar case measuring approximately 14.5 cm in length, demonstrating the use of tortoiseshell for luxury cigar accessories of this period. Gazette Drouot
Era
Circa 1850–1880
Origin
France
Style
Napoleon III / Second Empire
Object Type
Single cigar case / étui à cigare
Materials
- Tortoiseshell
- Gilt metal, likely brass or bronze
- Engraved / chased decorative mounts
Dimensions
Please add:
___” H × ___” diameter
History
Portable cigar cases became an increasingly fashionable gentleman’s accessory during the 19th century, protecting individual cigars from crushing while traveling or moving through the city.
French makers produced particularly elegant examples using luxury tabletterie materials such as tortoiseshell, mother-of-pearl, horn, and exotic woods, often embellished with gilt-brass, silver, or gold mounts. Surviving Napoleon III examples demonstrate that tortoiseshell was a favored material for cigar cases during the second half of the century. Proantic
The simplicity of this example is especially elegant: rather than elaborate piqué work or applied monograms, the visual interest comes from the translucency and natural mottling of the shell contrasted against finely patterned gilt bands.
Marks / Signature
No visible maker’s mark or hallmark observed in the photographs provided.
Condition
Good antique condition with wear consistent with age and use. The tortoiseshell retains a strong polished surface and attractive translucency, with expected fine scratches, rubbing, and minor surface wear.
There appears to be a small chip or loss at the upper rim of the lower section, visible when the case is opened. Gilt-metal mounts show expected rubbing, darkening, and age-related wear while retaining much of their decorative definition.
The fitted two-part construction remains intact.
Please review all photographs closely as they form part of the condition description.
Provenance
France, likely second half of the 19th century.
Disclaimers
This object appears visually consistent with genuine antique tortoiseshell; the material has not been scientifically tested.
Tortoiseshell is a regulated wildlife material. International shipment and commercial sale may be subject to CITES and other federal, state, or national restrictions, even when the object is antique. Buyers are responsible for understanding any applicable restrictions in their jurisdiction. I would avoid offering international shipping on this piece without confirming the applicable documentation requirements.
Dating, country of origin, and original function are based upon form, construction, materials, and comparable period examples and should be regarded as approximate unless further documentation is discovered.