Charles I Portrait Snuff Box, c.1700
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A silver mounted tortoiseshell snuff box with silver applique portrait of Charles I, c.1700, the three-quarter bust portrait after that of the medal for the Anglo-Dutch Fishing Treaty of 1636 by Hans Reinhardt the younger. He, in armour, hair falling over a plain lace collar, wearing Garter George on ribband. The unmarked oval box with silver walls, 'stand-away' hinge (upper joint solid, lower joint with arms), slightly concave inset tortoiseshell base. 8.5 x 6.5 x 2.1 cm. Containing a cabochon specimen stone and manuscript note: 'Brought by Capt. Frances R. M. Crozier (of polar expedition fame) from the the (sic) Most Northern part of Spitzbergen'. Provenance: Private Auckland Collection. See lot 181.
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- Tortoiseshell - Tortoiseshell is a translucent material that comes from the horny carapace of a certain types of turtles, including the hawksbill turtle. It is often therefore mounted on a colour underground - often red - or inlaid with gold or silver thread, as seen in Boulle furniture.
The texture and colour nuances of the material are extremely important. Heated tortoiseshell can easily be formed into various shapes. Like other natural materials, tortoiseshell becomes more beautiful with use. In a time before plastic, tortoiseshell was widely used for small objects such as combs and powder compacts.
In 1973, the trade of tortoiseshell worldwide was banned under CITES (The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species). Prior to importing or exporting items containing tortoiseshell a CITES permit must be obtained. Tortoiseshell items cannot be traded on Ebay.
"Faux tortoiseshell", another case of man initiating nature, is made from old-style plastics such as celluloid and cellulos and is coloured with red, yellow and brown spots to imitate the genuine article. It is commonly used in glasses frames, musical instruments and costume jewellery.
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