Silver and Tortoiseshell Photo Frame by Hardy Brothers

Description This Silver and Tortoiseshell Photo Frame was retailed by Hardy Brothers and is hallmarked for Charles S Green & Co, dated 1908. The oval frame is mounted with a sterling silver border surrounding a tortoiseshell ground. The face is decorated with finely inlaid silver ribbon work forming draped garlands and bows issuing from three central vase motifs. At the centre is an oval aperture framed with a further silver border for displaying a photograph. The rear of the frame is finished with an ebony backing and lined in pink silk. The reverse opens via small retaining latches at the top, allowing photographs to be easily inserted or replaced. The silver mount is hallmarked CSG & Co for Charles S Green & Co and was retailed by the well known firm Hardy Brothers. View the full Accessories and Silver Collection. Charles S Green & Co Charles S Green & Co were established in 1905 in Birmingham by Charles S. Green along with his wife, son and brother. Winifred, Charles’s wife was a talented artist and was at the forefront of the firms’ early designs. They manufactured a range of silverware and electro-plate silver including enamelled silverware, silver cups and bowls, cigarette cases and boxes, photo frames, and General electro-plate goods. For further information see our Makers & Retailers profile on Charles S Green & Co. Hardy Brothers Hardy Bros. were founded in 1853 and still operate today as renowned jewellery dealers. The company is distinguished by the Royal Warrant of Appointment to Her Majesty the Queen and has served all sovereigns since George V in the United Kingdom as well as serving multiple Australian leaders and families with excellence where the business resides. For further information see our Makers & Retailers profile on Hardy Brothers. Tortoiseshell  Tortoiseshell is a decorative material historically produced from the shell of the hawksbill sea turtle. The material is composed of keratin, the same natural substance found in horn, and can be heated, shaped and polished to produce a rich translucent surface with mottled tones of amber, brown and dark honey. During the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries tortoiseshell was widely used in fine decorative objects including boxes, tea caddies, snuff boxes and dressing table items. The material could be worked as veneer, inlaid with metals or other materials, and polished to a deep glossy finish which enhanced its distinctive colour and pattern. If you are purchasing Tortoiseshell or Ivory pieces and are outside the E.U. you must have a CITES certificate in order to import the item into your country. We can obtain these on your behalf at a cost of £50 and these can take up to 14 working days to arrive at our office. Due to the strict exporting rules of these pieces, they may also come with further shipping costs. Please ensure you contact us prior to purchase for a quote. Why Buy from Mark Goodger Antiques? With over thirty five years of specialist experience, Mark Goodger Antiques is recognised internationally as a leading authority in antique boxes and related works of art. Every item offered has been personally selected by Mark, whose knowledge and judgement are trusted by collectors, institutions, museums, interior designers, and fellow dealers worldwide. Every purchase is supplied with a full supporting package for clarity and reassurance. This includes a Certificate of Authenticity, a detailed condition and care guide specific to your item, our most recent catalogue, and a separate invoice suitable for insurance and valuation purposes. Each piece is carefully examined prior to sale to ensure accuracy of description and quality. Your purchase is fully insured during transit and protected by our straightforward money back guarantee, allowing you to buy with complete confidence. We pride ourselves on transparency, expertise, and long term relationships with our clients, many of whom return to us repeatedly over decades. When you buy from Mark Goodger Antiques, you are purchasing from a specialist family business built on knowledge, trust, and an unrivalled focus on antique boxes.