Our Tortoise Shell Place Mats are an addition to the Forwood Design Tortoise shell Collection. They combine a colour palette of nature’s natural neutrals to create a luxurious dining table accessory. We make them with tempered glass combined with our exclusive tortoise shell print. These unique placemats really will add a touch of glamour to a dining table.
The Tortoise Shell place mats come as a set of 4. Above all, the tempered glass of the luxurious mats is exceptionally easy to clean. Just wipe with a damp cloth and buff dry. The placemats are designed to go with our faux tortoiseshell drinks coasters creating a glamorous contemporary addition to any dining table. We also love to combine them with our luxury Lapis rectangular mirror. Of course the come packed in our fabulous Forwood Design Gift Box.
Tortoise shell has always been an expensive material because its beautifully mottled appearance appealed to people. Tortoise shell was very popular with the Victorians. They manufactured a wide variety of items such as fans, boxes, tea caddies, spectacles and photo frames. The material came from the shells of the larger species of tortoise and turtle. The initial processing involved separating the layers of the scutes from the animal’s carapace by heating, softening the plates and flattening them in a press.
Please note, in 1973, the trade of real tortoiseshell worldwide was banned under CITES.