Tortoise Shell

[pejsek]

Just curious if anybody knows anything about tortoise shell. Today at the thrift store I bought what appears to be an art-deco style tortoise shell veneer mirror. The frame is about 2.5' X 3.5' with a 6" border made up of two rows of 3" squares. The shell is hard and cool to the touch and does not appear to be synthetic. But what do I know. From searching the web just a bit it appears trade in genuine tortoise shell items is banned unless they can be shown to be more than 100 years old. So I guess I may have to put it in the contraband pile, right next to the bespoke sea turtle McAfees.
It's kind of nice in an old French Colonial way, would pair nicely with a shagreen umbrella stand.

 

[Violinist]

Originally Posted by pejsek

Just curious if anybody knows anything about tortoise shell. Today at the thrift store I bought what appears to be an art-deco style tortoise shell veneer mirror. The frame is about 2.5' X 3.5' with a 6" border made up of two rows of 3" squares. The shell is hard and cool to the touch and does not appear to be synthetic. But what do I know. From searching the web just a bit it appears trade in genuine tortoise shell items is banned unless they can be shown to be more than 100 years old. So I guess I may have to put it in the contraband pile, right next to the bespoke sea turtle McAfees.
It's kind of nice in an old French Colonial way, would pair nicely with a shagreen umbrella stand.

Tortoise shell is a bit tricky. Firstly, if it's sort of old, it will get "cloudy", and not have the beautiful transparency of a newly carved piece. I've got a violin bow with a tortoise shell frog, (and I've had one with an ivory frog too)... they can be a big hassle if you travel internationally. If you can verify that it's authentic, then buy it. Police aren't going to come to your house and reprimand you for having that.

 

[LabelKing]

Those are silly rules.

Tortoise shell is very lovely.

 

[RJman]

Originally Posted by LabelKing

Those are silly rules.

Tortoise shell is very lovely.
Perhaps you need a tortoiseshell cuillere de gavage for your home foie gras kit?

 

[LabelKing]

Originally Posted by RJman

Perhaps you need a tortoiseshell cuillere de gavage for your home foie gras kit?
Please, my tortoise shell is reserved for my dainty but very ornate etui kit.

 

[Lucky Strike]

This one says RJ...

Silver gilt fittings, London 1916. Length: 20 cm

 

[RJman]

Originally Posted by Lucky Strike

This one says RJ...
Silver gilt fittings, London 1916. Length: 20 cm
Whew, 11 more years until I can buy it then...

 

[Ivan Kipling]

I love tortoise shell, movie star sunglasses, on women.