SILVER MOUNTED TORTOISE SHELL PERFUME CADDY. 18TH CENTURY.

Perfume case. Silver, tortoiseshell, glass, textile. Century XVIII. Case with an elongated shape, wider towards the lid, made of tortoiseshell with a silver frame in its color that has a closure towards one end operated by a button and a hinged lid. Inside, it has a textile upholstery on the lid and base, decorated in certain points with silver plant elements in its color, and an elongated translucent glass bottle. On the outside, it shows a series of plant and architectural elements of classicist influence but organized with a certain rococo rhythm in some points. The practice of using tortoiseshell plates in furniture and other luxury items reemerged in Europe during the 17th century. The high price and great demand for sea turtle shell furniture are explained by the scarcity of the material, which had to be imported (normally from Central America) and that, for its work, a highly specialized workforce was required. Thus, from that moment on, it was common to create boxes, vanity sets, cases with different uses, etc. in tortoise shell, normally combining it with frames in silver, gold, etc.

· Size: 5x3x13 cms.