Is it okay to tape tortoiseshell for a week?

For some reason I really have to tape my tortoiseshell boxes ( that is, covering the veneers with sticky tape) for a few days ( less than a week hopefully). It’s low tack masking tape I’m using, would that be deconstructive? Thanks

 

Can I ask why you are thinking of taping it? If we understand the purpose, we may be able to suggest alternatives (or not).

 

Because I have to make sure they don’t look like tortoiseshell I tried making paper and fabric covers but they won’t fit close and tight

 

Sounds like adherence to eBay's CITES Policy...although I'm not aware of a caveat about tortoiseshell. I've sold several mid-19th C items with t-shell components there, oblivious to any proscriptions.

 

painters tape comes off easily..

 

Not eBay tho, but about regulations yes as I have to travel internationally with them

 

I’ve already done taping, so far sticking fine, also added some shellac on the edges so cannot be easily peeled off. It should stay there by itself, unless dear custom officers insist to tear it off

 

That's one of the more interesting,obscure questions I think I've ever read here.Stealth antiquing James Bond-style ?

 

My country bans all tortoiseshell products regardless of age just some teeny Georgian boxes. As long as x-ray machine doesn’t beep…

 

What's your country ?

 

China

 

Good for China.I'll have to study their sustainability laws closer.

 

is the risk worth the reward?

 

Yes Shammy-What are the penalties ?

 

As long as the total value is under 2000 GBP I won’t be jailed… only losing them, so the penalty is just the money paid for my precious boxes as they’ll take it from me!

 

Just my precious taken away! So have to risk it anyway

 

It seems the boxes will look awfully suspicious. Any trained customs agent worth their salt will be curious.

 

lol yet they’re still hundreds listing of ‘Acrylic’ on Chinese eBay. Mostly new, some vintage jewelry from Japan. They must carry them on plane

 

I mixed them with my other antique leather or faux leather boxes, forget to take a picture but they look very similar ( I dyed and shellacked my tape so it looks like leather). And the tape cutting is crispy and clean, should be fine by eye. Just worried about x-ray. I did heard that they won’t actually bother with small ones, from someone who carried antique tortoiseshell jewelry before

 

So,more money to sell them in China ?