Petit Antique German Banded Agate Jewelry, Specimen or Snuff Box, Idar-Oberstein Crossed torches Some subtle dimples to the

Some subtle dimples to the handles

this Paris Grand Tour souvenir 'necessaire' or note pad/card case with stylus intact

Its reputation for fine confections has endured for nearly two centuries

The portrait is elegantly accomplished

this campaign style box or case would originally have been fitted out inside with scientific

Petit Antique German Banded Agate Jewelry, Specimen or Snuff Box, Idar-Oberstein Crossed torches Some subtle dimples to theOrigin of the box is German (Idar Oberstein), the area referred to as the valley of agate. These 19th century boxes, superbly crafted specimen stone set in ormolu framework and up on ball agate feet, were fabulously well received as Grand Tour souvenirs, still highly sought after today. While the gemstone industry got its start with local mined stone, stone from around the world went into these boxes by end of 1800s. A cluster of them makes a superb