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Tortoise Shell Collection

"Tortoise Shell: A Timeless Elegance" Tortoiseshell Persians, with their luxurious coats resembling the intricate patterns found on a tortoise shell

Background imageTortoise Shell Collection: Tortoiseshell Persians

Tortoiseshell Persians
Two Persian cats, one tortoiseshell and one tortoiseshell-and-white, sit together. Date: 1903

Background imageTortoise Shell Collection: Leatherback sea turtle (sphargis coriacea)

Leatherback sea turtle (sphargis coriacea)

Background imageTortoise Shell Collection: Giant tortoise (Geochelone gigantea) with hard brown shell

Giant tortoise (Geochelone gigantea) with hard brown shell

Background imageTortoise Shell Collection: Country Flowers and Butterflies

Country Flowers and Butterflies
Many varieties of wild flowers with a Cabbage White and Tortoiseshell butterflies. Painting by Malcolm Greensmith

Background imageTortoise Shell Collection: A leopard tortoise, Stigmochelys pardalis, at waterhole. Kalahari, Botswana

A leopard tortoise, Stigmochelys pardalis, at waterhole. Kalahari, Botswana

Background imageTortoise Shell Collection: Tortoise Shell Lorgnette, c. 1936. Creator: Charles Enjoian

Tortoise Shell Lorgnette, c. 1936. Creator: Charles Enjoian
Tortoise Shell Lorgnette, c. 1936

Background imageTortoise Shell Collection: Gigantic Land Tortoise - a Present for Her Majesty, 1850. Creator: Unknown

Gigantic Land Tortoise - a Present for Her Majesty, 1850. Creator: Unknown
Gigantic Land Tortoise - a Present for Her Majesty, 1850. Tortoise...just brought to England by Captain Brown, in her Majesty's ship Geyser...a present to her Majesty the Queen [Victoria]

Background imageTortoise Shell Collection: Cradle of Henri IV, at the Chateau, Pau, 1854. Creator: Unknown

Cradle of Henri IV, at the Chateau, Pau, 1854. Creator: Unknown
Cradle of Henri IV, at the Chateau, Pau [in France], 1854. Its construction is curious. A trophy of flags, placed on spears, and rising three at each end of the cradle

Background imageTortoise Shell Collection: Fire bellows, Ottoman dynasty (1299-1923), 18th / early 19th century. Creator: Unknown

Fire bellows, Ottoman dynasty (1299-1923), 18th / early 19th century. Creator: Unknown
Fire bellows, Ottoman dynasty (1299-1923), 18th/ early 19th century

Background imageTortoise Shell Collection: Tazza, France, c. 1850. Creator: Charles Duron

Tazza, France, c. 1850. Creator: Charles Duron
Tazza, France, c. 1850

Background imageTortoise Shell Collection: Table Clock, France, c. 1675. Creators: Andre-Charles Boulle the Elder, Nicolas Gribelin

Table Clock, France, c. 1675. Creators: Andre-Charles Boulle the Elder, Nicolas Gribelin
Table Clock, France, c. 1675

Background imageTortoise Shell Collection: Coffer, France, 1700 / 20. Creator: Andre-Charles Boulle the Elder

Coffer, France, 1700 / 20. Creator: Andre-Charles Boulle the Elder
Coffer, France, 1700/20

Background imageTortoise Shell Collection: Mirror Showing King Charles II, Queen Catherine of Braganza

Mirror Showing King Charles II, Queen Catherine of Braganza, and Scenes from the Old Testament, England, c. 1665

Background imageTortoise Shell Collection: Fan, France, 1860 / 70. Creator: Unknown

Fan, France, 1860 / 70. Creator: Unknown
Fan, France, 1860/70

Background imageTortoise Shell Collection: Fan, France, 1875 / 1880. Creator: Unknown

Fan, France, 1875 / 1880. Creator: Unknown
Fan, France, 1875/1880

Background imageTortoise Shell Collection: Fan, France, 1870 / 1890. Creator: Unknown

Fan, France, 1870 / 1890. Creator: Unknown
Fan, France, 1870/1890

Background imageTortoise Shell Collection: Tortoise Shell Comb, 1936. Creator: Erwin Schwabe

Tortoise Shell Comb, 1936. Creator: Erwin Schwabe
Tortoise Shell Comb, 1936

Background imageTortoise Shell Collection: Tortoise Shell Necklace & Locket, c. 1940. Creator: James M. Lawson

Tortoise Shell Necklace & Locket, c. 1940. Creator: James M. Lawson
Tortoise Shell Necklace & Locket, c. 1940

Background imageTortoise Shell Collection: Tortoise-Shell Box with a Miniature of Flowers in a Stone Vase on a Marble Slab

Tortoise-Shell Box with a Miniature of Flowers in a Stone Vase on a Marble Slab
615542 Tortoise-Shell Box with a Miniature of Flowers in a Stone Vase on a Marble Slab, 1827 (w/c & bodycolour on card, set under glass in a mount of gilded metal) by RedoutA©

Background imageTortoise Shell Collection: Dish, from the Palau Islands, Micronesia, c. 1800 (turtleshell)

Dish, from the Palau Islands, Micronesia, c. 1800 (turtleshell)
MGS171760 Dish, from the Palau Islands, Micronesia, c.1800 (turtleshell) by Micronesian (19th century); length: 11.5 cm; Private Collection; eMichael Graham-Stewart; out of copyright

Background imageTortoise Shell Collection: Scandal and Tea, published 1893 (aquatint)

Scandal and Tea, published 1893 (aquatint)
STC64836 Scandal and Tea, published 1893 (aquatint) by Sadler, Walter Dendy (1854-1923) (after); Private Collection; The Stapleton Collection; English, out of copyright

Background imageTortoise Shell Collection: Blackberries and Holly with a Butterfly

Blackberries and Holly with a Butterfly
CW24792 Blackberries and Holly with a Butterfly by Lucas, Albert Durer (1828-1918); Private Collection; eChristopher Wood Gallery, London, UK; English, out of copyright

Background imageTortoise Shell Collection: Mask from the Torres Straits (tortoiseshell)

Mask from the Torres Straits (tortoiseshell)
HSC185265 Mask from the Torres Straits (tortoiseshell) by Oceanic; Private Collection; Photo eHeini Schneebeli; out of copyright

Background imageTortoise Shell Collection: Coffer Stand Attributed Andre-Charles Boulle

Coffer Stand Attributed Andre-Charles Boulle
Coffer on a Stand; Attributed to Andre-Charles Boulle (French, 1642 - 1732, master before 1666); Paris, France; about 1684 - 1689; Oak, cypress, and walnut veneered with tortoise shell

Background imageTortoise Shell Collection: Frame 1600 Germany Augsburg 17th century Glass

Frame 1600 Germany Augsburg 17th century Glass
Frame, c. 1600. Germany, Augsburg, 17th century. Glass, tortoise shell, silver enamel, gilt-bronze inner and outer frames; overall: 18.7 x 15.9 cm (7 3/8 x 6 1/4 in.)

Background imageTortoise Shell Collection: Clock 1695 Andre-Charles Boulle French 1642-1732

Clock 1695 Andre-Charles Boulle French 1642-1732
Clock, c. 1695. Andre-Charles Boulle (French, 1642-1732), Balthazar Martinot II (French, 1636-1714). Tortoise shell and brass inlay, gilt bronze; overall: 113.7 cm (44 3/4 in.)

Background imageTortoise Shell Collection: Illustration, Desert Tortoise (Gopherus agassizii) feeding on flowering cactus plant, side view

Illustration, Desert Tortoise (Gopherus agassizii) feeding on flowering cactus plant, side view

Background imageTortoise Shell Collection: The Giant Tortoise

The Giant Tortoise
The Galapagos tortoise are the largest living species of tortoise. Modern Galapagos tortoises can weigh up to 417 kg (919 lb)

Background imageTortoise Shell Collection: Girl with a Cat

Girl with a Cat
Artist: Opie, John (attributed to) - Title: Girl with a Cat - Date: N/A - Original Medium and Size: Oil on Canvas 76.2 x 64.8

Background imageTortoise Shell Collection: Roll Cloth Obi Tortoise-shell Hair Ornaments

Roll Cloth Obi Tortoise-shell Hair Ornaments
Artokoloro

Background imageTortoise Shell Collection: Domestic shorthair kitten

Domestic shorthair kitten

Background imageTortoise Shell Collection: Illustration of a tortoise

Illustration of a tortoise

Background imageTortoise Shell Collection: Tortoise-shell Butterfly, Nymphalis

Tortoise-shell Butterfly, Nymphalis

Background imageTortoise Shell Collection: Woman wearing lace dress posing in studio, (B&W), (Close-up), (Portrait)

Woman wearing lace dress posing in studio, (B&W), (Close-up), (Portrait)

Background imageTortoise Shell Collection: Juvenile hawksbill sea turtle

Juvenile hawksbill sea turtle
Eretmochelys imbricata, found near the shore of Groote Eylandt, Northern Territory, Australia

Background imageTortoise Shell Collection: Interior of Baghdad Kiosk, Topkapi Palace, UNESCO World Heritage Site, Sultanahmet

Interior of Baghdad Kiosk, Topkapi Palace, UNESCO World Heritage Site, Sultanahmet, Istanbul, Turkey, Europe

Background imageTortoise Shell Collection: Galapagos Giants Tortoise. Testudo Elephantopus Galapagoensis. Zoo of Prague

Galapagos Giants Tortoise. Testudo Elephantopus Galapagoensis. Zoo of Prague

Background imageTortoise Shell Collection: Hermanns Tortoise. Testudo Hermanni

Hermanns Tortoise. Testudo Hermanni

Background imageTortoise Shell Collection: Turtle

Turtle

Background imageTortoise Shell Collection: Tortoise

Tortoise

Background imageTortoise Shell Collection: Small Tortoiseshell, Aglais urticae, adult emerging from pupa, Oberaegeri, Switzerland

Small Tortoiseshell, Aglais urticae, adult emerging from pupa, Oberaegeri, Switzerland

Background imageTortoise Shell Collection: The Princess Royals dressing case

The Princess Royals dressing case, a wedding gift to the bride from the Duchess of Kent, on the occasion of Victoria(Vicky)s marriage to Prince Frederick William of Prussia in 1858

Background imageTortoise Shell Collection: Tortoiseshell Butterfly

Tortoiseshell Butterfly
A Small Tortoiseshell butterfly. Date: 1960s

Background imageTortoise Shell Collection: Evening dress by Patrick Perrott, 1934

Evening dress by Patrick Perrott, 1934
An evening dress by Patrick Perrott, designed for Liberty, composed of sequins made from the shavings of tortoiseshell combs with rayed straps at the back giving it an enviable distinction. Date: 1934

Background imageTortoise Shell Collection: Hair Brush Sets on sale at Mappin & Webb

Hair Brush Sets on sale at Mappin & Webb

Background imageTortoise Shell Collection: Red Admiral (Vanessa atalanta) and Small Tortoiseshell (Aglais urticae) adults

Red Admiral (Vanessa atalanta) and Small Tortoiseshell (Aglais urticae) adults, feeding on Michaelmas Daisy (Aster novae-angliae) flowers in garden, Powys, Wales, september

Background imageTortoise Shell Collection: Small Tortoiseshell (Aglais urticae) metamorphosis sequence of larva changing into pupa

Small Tortoiseshell (Aglais urticae) metamorphosis sequence of larva changing into pupa, august (composite image)



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"Tortoise Shell: A Timeless Elegance" Tortoiseshell Persians, with their luxurious coats resembling the intricate patterns found on a tortoise shell, are truly captivating creatures. Just like the Leatherback sea turtle and the Giant tortoise, they boast a hard brown shell that serves as both protection and beauty. Intriguingly, this unique material has been cherished by artisans throughout history. From the exquisite Fire bellows of the Ottoman dynasty to the ornate Tazza from 19th-century France crafted by Charles Duron, it has adorned numerous masterpieces. The Table Clock created by Andre-Charles Boulle and Nicolas Gribelin in 17th-century France showcases how this material can elevate functional objects into works of art. The allure extends beyond furniture and decor; it also finds its place in fashion. Delicate fans from different periods in French history demonstrate how this natural wonder was transformed into elegant accessories fit for royalty. Whether it's the Fan from 1860/70 or those from later decades such as 1875/1880 and 1870/1890, these creations remain timeless symbols of sophistication. As we appreciate these remarkable artifacts, let us remember that using authentic tortoiseshell is now prohibited due to conservation efforts protecting endangered species. However, we can still admire its beauty through replicas or vintage pieces while celebrating nature's ingenuity. Just like a Tortoiseshell Persian gracefully strutting its stuff or a majestic sea turtle gliding through ocean depths, there is an undeniable charm to this patterned marvel known as "tortoise shell. " Its enduring appeal continues to captivate hearts across time and cultures—a testament to its everlasting elegance.