Antique Shell Snuff Box / Trinket Box with Engraved Brass Mount Natural spiral shell / engraved brass hinged cap and base mount / late 19th–early 20th century / curated for the cabinet and dressing table 

A miniature snuff box or trinket box formed from a natural spiral shell, its warm amber, cream, and caramel banding intact and luminous, fitted with an engraved brass cap at the apex and a small round black base mount at the foot, joined by a fine brass ring hinge. The brass cap is finely worked with decorative engraving and a small finial. The shell itself is of exceptional quality, its natural nacre catching the light with a quiet iridescence. Opens at the equator on the brass hinge to reveal a small plain interior.Approximate decade: 1880s–1920s (Victorian–Edwardian, possibly Indian or colonial origin)

Collector's note: Shell objects mounted in silver or brass, snuff boxes, scent bottles, needle cases, were a beloved category of Victorian and Edwardian decorative craft, with strong traditions in both European and Indo-colonial workshops. The combination of organic shell and worked metal gives this piece an intimate, cabinet-of-curiosities quality. A rare and beautiful object.

No special care required. Handle gently.

*All items are final sale.