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Antiques! => Antique Questions Forum => Topic started by: sfcoins on December 06, 2012, 12:05:31 pm

Title: Antique Holder of some sort
Post by: sfcoins on December 06, 2012, 12:05:31 pm
Hi!

I have this holder of some sort? It looks antique.. I have no real idea what its used for?

If anyone knows what it really is or value or where I can get specific information that would be great!

Thanks in advance,
Nicole
Title: Re: Antique Holder of some sort
Post by: Rauville on December 06, 2012, 12:29:05 pm
How big is it? Looks like it could be a sewing thimble case.
Title: Re: Antique Holder of some sort
Post by: sfcoins on December 06, 2012, 12:35:59 pm
Thank you for responding!
It might be too big for a sewing thimble case?

It is 3.25 inches tall - and 2.25 inches wide

There was like a soot? on the inside when I cleaned it but I cant be sure..
Title: Re: Antique Holder of some sort
Post by: wendy177 on December 06, 2012, 12:42:31 pm
You have what looks like a  match safe. 
Title: Re: Antique Holder of some sort
Post by: mart on December 06, 2012, 12:44:08 pm
Perhaps for snuff !!  Victorian era it was popular for ladies and gentlemen to take snuff !!  It would likely have darkened if not cleaned out inside !! Did it smell like tobacco ??
Title: Re: Antique Holder of some sort
Post by: wendy177 on December 06, 2012, 12:47:38 pm
Mart the snuff would pass through the filigree it looks to have no liner inside.
Title: Re: Antique Holder of some sort
Post by: mart on December 06, 2012, 12:49:44 pm
Looks solid to me with just engraving outside !!  Maybe I had better enlarge it !!
Title: Re: Antique Holder of some sort
Post by: sfcoins on December 06, 2012, 12:54:05 pm
It is a filigree with NO lining .. If it was a match case which I think is correct but where would they strike the match?

It definitely seems like something was burnt inside this or like you said a match case...
Title: Re: Antique Holder of some sort
Post by: mart on December 06, 2012, 01:00:35 pm
I see what you mean Wendy !!  Maybe it is for matches like you said !!  I would look for a mark on it somewhere !!
Since it has an initial on it could have been part of a set with the striker on another piece,,, maybe a tray ??
Title: Re: Antique Holder of some sort
Post by: sfcoins on December 06, 2012, 01:20:28 pm
You are probably right it looks like matches were maybe put in there still smoldering because of the marks inside..

The only markings are K on 1 side and B on the other ...

What era do you think this is from or how can I get any more specific information!

Thanks again everyone for all your help :)
Title: Re: Antique Holder of some sort
Post by: Rauville on December 06, 2012, 01:52:35 pm
What about those fancy containers that you filled with rose petals and placed in a dresser drawer to add a fresh scent to the clothes?
Title: Re: Antique Holder of some sort
Post by: mart on December 06, 2012, 01:58:22 pm
It would have been for holding matches before striking not after !!
Thats a possibility Rauville !!
Title: Re: Antique Holder of some sort
Post by: frogpatch on December 06, 2012, 02:49:51 pm
That is a cigarette case like the ones used in India. A cigarette is the same size. See here http://www.ebay.com/itm/ANTIQUE-INDIAN-SILVER-CYLINDRICAL-CIGARETTE-CASE-/221046191611

You need to watch more old movies
Title: Re: Antique Holder of some sort
Post by: mart on December 06, 2012, 03:02:44 pm
Wouldn`t have thought about that !!  Excellent Frogpatch !!
PS !!  Watched enough old movies in my time !!  Just never saw a round one !!
Title: Re: Antique Holder of some sort
Post by: frogpatch on December 06, 2012, 03:12:58 pm
Here is another one from China according to the site. I have seen them in movies like Maltese Falcon or Casablanca. I forget the movie. They would sit on a table and Peter Lorre or Leslie Howard would offer one up. The old long non filters like Chesterfield killed off a whole generation that survived the war.

http://www.bonhams.com/auctions/18895/lot/91/
Title: Re: Antique Holder of some sort
Post by: wendy177 on December 06, 2012, 03:20:16 pm
Sorry but  I do not think this is for cigarettes to small at 2.25 inches wide, Frogpatch your first one looks to at least 4" around and your second one is large enough to have a central handle Plus this one is oval and looks to not have a flat bottom to stand on a table.
Title: Re: Antique Holder of some sort
Post by: bigwull on December 06, 2012, 03:58:30 pm
This looks like a hand held..pot-pouri container...they were used by the wealthy...in the UK...especially in the big cities..during the 17th /18th century...when sanitation was not all that it should have been...It definitely is not a Vesta Case..i.e. for holding matches...
Title: Re: Antique Holder of some sort
Post by: KC on December 06, 2012, 08:47:35 pm
Wullie you beat me to it but I believe the correct word for it was a Pomander.  

It held a solid perfume or aromatic so that it would make the area around the wearer smell better.  They would also put citrus peels (usually orange) with small sponges soaked in essential oils in them and believed that the smells were medicinal - protecting them from diseases such as the plague.  For women they were generally worn around the neck on a chain  For men they were worn on a chain suspended on the belt.

An example here:
http://www.rubylane.com/item/396840-4994/Stunning-Vintage-Silver-Pomander-Locket (http://www.rubylane.com/item/396840-4994/Stunning-Vintage-Silver-Pomander-Locket)
 
Just found where men would often carry them in times of rampant disease!
http://www.ascasonline.org/VINAIGRETTE.html (http://www.ascasonline.org/VINAIGRETTE.html)

However, here is another possibility....a hairpin holder?!?!  (http://www.countryliving.com/cm/countryliving/images/J6/4-hairpin-case-what-is-it-worth-0312-mdn.jpg)
http://www.countryliving.com/antiques/appraisals/what-its-worth?src=nl&mag=clg&list=nl_ccr_ant_non_091912_what-its-worth&kw=ist# (http://www.countryliving.com/antiques/appraisals/what-its-worth?src=nl&mag=clg&list=nl_ccr_ant_non_091912_what-its-worth&kw=ist#)
Title: Re: Antique Holder of some sort
Post by: cogar on December 07, 2012, 08:05:34 am
Good one Frogpatch.

I was just about to say that "you don't need a "striker" for the type of matches that would have been carried in it". They would have been "strike anywhere" matches.

(http://www.preterhuman.net/texts/wars_and_weapons/other/ModifiedAmmunition/match.gif)
Title: Re: Antique Holder of some sort
Post by: bigwull on December 07, 2012, 01:04:46 pm
Nooooooooo!!...these kind of matches were not around in the UK..when there was a need for a Vesta case,...and there not around now..as we have mostly safety matches..which can only be struck non the box that they come in...you can,t strike them on any hard surface as they won,t work....
Title: Re: Antique Holder of some sort
Post by: cogar on December 08, 2012, 03:26:08 am
be careful of those boxes, they have red phosphorus on them.  ;D ;D
Title: Re: Antique Holder of some sort
Post by: bbc-antiques.co.uk on December 16, 2012, 11:12:52 am
How big is it? Looks like it could be a sewing thimble case.
could be to hold a nutmeg grater ?
Title: Re: Antique Holder of some sort
Post by: Ipcress on January 11, 2013, 05:05:00 pm
Would any of you keep cigarettes or matches in something with holes in it ?

I'd say bodkin case.
Title: Re: Antique Holder of some sort
Post by: KC on January 12, 2013, 02:36:02 pm
Definitely not for needles!   They would fall straight through!

Starting to wonder if it could possible be a French Billet Doux.  Communications were sent rolled up in holders like this between lovers/friends/clandestine business, etc.
Title: Re: Antique Holder of some sort
Post by: Ipcress on January 13, 2013, 01:40:12 pm
Are they ends pierced like the sides ?
Title: Re: Antique Holder of some sort
Post by: bigwull on January 13, 2013, 02:38:40 pm
give that man a coconut.....if you look very closely at the pic..you can see oles.....that,s holes without.... ;D
Title: Re: Antique Holder of some sort
Post by: xmelax38 on January 13, 2013, 09:23:37 pm
Whatever it is, that is very pretty! :)