{"product_id":"19th-century-french-tortoiseshell-gold-etui-napoleon-iii-period","title":"19th Century French Tortoiseshell \u0026 Gold Étui, Napoleon III Period","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eItem: 19th Century French Tortoiseshell \u0026amp; Gilt-Metal Single Cigar Case \/ Étui, Napoleon III Period\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAdditional Description\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eA 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.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe 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.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe 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.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eIts 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.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eA 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\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eEra\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCirca 1850–1880\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOrigin\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFrance\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eStyle\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eNapoleon III \/ Second Empire\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eObject Type\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSingle cigar case \/ étui à cigare\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMaterials\u003cspan class=\"Apple-converted-space\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e- Tortoiseshell\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e- Gilt metal, likely brass or bronze\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e- Engraved \/ chased decorative mounts\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDimensions\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePlease add:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e___” H × ___” diameter\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eHistory\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePortable 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.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFrench 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\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe 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.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMarks \/ Signature\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eNo visible maker’s mark or hallmark observed in the photographs provided.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCondition\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eGood 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.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThere 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.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe fitted two-part construction remains intact.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePlease review all photographs closely as they form part of the condition description.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eProvenance\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFrance, likely second half of the 19th century.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDisclaimers\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThis object appears visually consistent with genuine antique tortoiseshell; the material has not been scientifically tested.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eTortoiseshell 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.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDating, 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.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"For the Louvre of Antiques LLC","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":50667811537151,"sku":null,"price":325.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0725\/8780\/4927\/files\/IMG-0257.png?v=1792025986","url":"https:\/\/forthelouvreofantiques.com\/fr\/products\/19th-century-french-tortoiseshell-gold-etui-napoleon-iii-period","provider":"For the Louvre of Antiques LLC","version":"1.0","type":"link"}