Antique Victorian Era French Calling Card Case, Tortoise Shell, Mother of Pearl, Skull 18th century necessaire just shown as a prop

just shown as a prop

wafer and gouache portrait

The exterior is a work of art one seldom sees even in museum

The stitches are small - something between grospoint and petitpoint

5" oil & vinegar cruet stand or caddy

Antique Victorian Era French Calling Card Case, Tortoise Shell, Mother of Pearl, Skull 18th century necessaire just shown as a propA typical c. 1840 60s calling card case, 4" x 3" so it will even fit today's business cards. A splendid veneer marquetry combining fine tortoise shell, mother of pearl and abalone shell. This one will draw every eye! And not the least because it has that mother of pearl skull on one side. Do you think it was a member of a secret club whose sign was a skull, or would that be too conspiracy theory ish? What we know for certain is that, among these types