Hawstead Hall Antiques

A Gold & Tortoiseshell Minature Carriage Clock. Retailed by Vickery of Regent Street, London. London Hallmarks 1910.

Also in the 1880's, the Comyns factory in Soho produced inlaid tortoiseshell items,employing a number of workers, whose duty amongst others, was to go to the docks and select the shells for use,the colour of the shell being all important.The shell was cut into sheets and heated with steam until pliable,then cut smoothed and polished.Finally,designs were cut from thin sheet silver, gold, abalone and mother of pearl and inlaid into the tortoiseshell.
These pieces are very sought after today, the inlays contrasting beautifully with the rich browns of the tortoiseshell. The two materials were combined to make a host of items,from candlesticks to trinket box lids.

A Fine Edwardian Tortoiseshell Inkstand, Inlaid
with Gold, Silver, Mother of Pearl and Abalone. London Hallmarks : 1907. ← →