RARE Antique French c. 1698 Silver Mark Tortoise Shell Folding Mariner or Drafting Ruler, Sterling Silver Pique Goldsmith small but powerful

small but powerful

The fans are ivory and I've owned these for a decade or more waiting to find someone who could re-ribbon them for me

rich gold enamel accenting around the edges and a large circular medallion in the lid

Beautiful veneers with brass & mother of pearl marquetry inlays

This one is a little more difficult to determine

RARE Antique French c. 1698 Silver Mark Tortoise Shell Folding Mariner or Drafting Ruler, Sterling Silver Pique Goldsmith small but powerfulLikely originally a tool housed in a fine and expansive 'necessaire', perhaps a purchase by a dignitary in Paris for the Grand celebration and fireworks celebrating The Treaty of Ryswick which was signed on September 20, 1697 ending the War of the League of Augsburg which pitted France against England, Spain and the Holy Roman Empire. The fireworks celebration depicted here took place in January of 1698. But I digress. It's amazing to me that a