Articles
Pretty finely carved tagua snuff box, decorated with two dragons holding a shield surmounted by a crown, musical instruments and attributes of war (banners, swords, flags, guns ...), or marine work to convict * of XIXth century.
This snuff box is in good condition.
A report: the hinge is broken slot on the back, a small gap in the side, wear time, see photos (red arrows).
______________________
* The "palm" ivory originating from the Amazon rainforest fruits which give the chair inside (albumen) becomes very hard when dry and a texture very similar to ivory. It is this which is called vegetable ivory tagua tagua or. The corozo carves, turns, polishes almost as easily and precisely than ivory. The tagua was worked by sailors who made such small boxes, snuff tobacco graters or as manufactured by convicts. The latter worked to pass the time but mainly to get some money to improve their lives. Can also be attributed to sailors during their long journeys. Corozo these objects are fine examples of folk art.
