I'm fairly certain the ones on my Evatt 1790s are tortoise, but I've seen blonde ones that have some sort of lacquer or staining going on across the entire surface area that is not simple patina. I wish I was able to buy every piece I've seen, but some people just refuse to come down on things that need heavy amounts of work. So much time has passed, I don't know what to say about the condition of anything once it finally gets to me, I am just grateful when it is a state I can work with or around.