Victorian Folding sell Grooming Tool With Flowers And Heart / Early 1900s

This listing is for a Victorian French Ivory (plastic) sell folding grooming tool. French Ivory is also known as Ivorine, Ivoire de Paris, Ivorette and other various trade names that allude to its resemblance to natural ivory, the material was popular because of its ivory color and affordability.

This grooming tool was made to look like a scrimshaw piece, with the carved design highlighted in black ink. The design is of a flower with vining leaves, inside a detailed frame, on both sides of the case. There is also a heart, more vining leaves and an "X" carved on the spine of the piece.

These Victorian grooming tools were generally given to sweethearts or family members as gifts. The tools, which swivel out like the blade of a pocket knife, were used as tooth picks and to groom fingernails with.

The condition of this piece is excellent, with no chips, or cracks, or worn areas. The plastic has naturally yellowed and darkened over the 100 plus years since it was made, which is normal for French Ivory. The three tools seem to be in good shape, one blade has a more blunt end and is not as pointed as the other two blades, so a very small amount of the point may have been broken off, or it may have been made that way, it's hard to tell.

This lovely example of a Victorian Folding Grooming Tool is 2 1/8" long and is 3/16" thick.

For anyone who collects Victorian era grooming tools this is a piece you'll definitely want to add to your collection.