This is a 19th Century 'faux' Blonde Tortoiseshell patch or trinket box, with the original paper lining / base & an unmarked Silver cartouche, & dating to around 1820 - 50.

The box is rectangular in form with a hinged & domed lid, & has been veneered in a beautifully figured 'faux' blonde tortoiseshell. The box sits on ivory bun feet (one missing).

The box is opened via a sprung push button to the front, to reveal the original paper lined interior, which is in a Dark Blue with a Gilt 'star' pattern.

The base of the box is covered in the original pink / red paper & has three turned ivory bun feet (one missing).

The domed lid has a central, rectangular vacant cartouche in unmarked silver (the cartouche has been hand made so is not a perfect rectangle).

Condition is original, unrestored & fair for it's near 200 years. The box is structurally sound with a good sprung opening & hinge (the actual hinge is fine but the fixing into the wood has loosened over it's years so there is a little play to the lid).

The veneer to the front & sides is fine with no loss, but the lid has a piece missing from the front R/H edge & some tiny nibbling to the rear edge. The back has a chip missing on the upper L/H corner & the R/H edge has a small strip missing (approx 4mm wide) - please see highly magnified photos.

The box measures approx 2 3/4" long, 1 3/8" wide, & 1" tall (to the top of the dome), or approx 7cm x 3.5cm x 2.5cm.