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Antiques! => Antique Questions Forum => Topic started by: spudnutt on February 28, 2012, 08:36:56 AM

Title: Need help identifying an Ivory Jewelry Box
Post by: spudnutt on February 28, 2012, 08:36:56 AM

I recently came across this jewelry box that has hand carved monogramming and a stamp on the bottom that says Ivory French Design.  There is another part of the stamp on the bottom between the Ivory and French Design that cannot be read. 

There are no seam marks and the grains on the material match the grains for Ivory.  You can also see the scrimshaw on the inner edges where it was cut. 

The box measures 6'' long by 3.75'' wide.  It's approximately 2'' tall.   

Can anyone help put a date to this item and an approximate value?  Any help would be greatly appreciated!

Title: Re: Need help identifying an Ivory Jewelry Box
Post by: Rauville on February 28, 2012, 09:21:44 AM

Is it ivory or celluloid? The term "French Ivory" was a common merchandising name for products made of celluloid.

Title: Re: Need help identifying an Ivory Jewelry Box
Post by: sapphire on February 28, 2012, 10:20:13 AM

I second Rauville's opinion.  Here are two more examples......

http://www.etsy.com/listing/90990524/beautiful-vintage-celluloid-or-french

http://www.etsy.com/listing/75788893/1920s-celluloid-french-ivory-jewelry-box

Title: Re: Need help identifying an Ivory Jewelry Box
Post by: sapphire on February 28, 2012, 10:23:49 AM

This close up of a ring box shows the grain which appears to be the same as yours .......

http://www.tias.com/11862/PictPage/1923101834.html

Title: Re: Need help identifying an Ivory Jewelry Box
Post by: talesofthesevenseas on February 28, 2012, 12:05:25 PM

If it is ivory, you should see a DOUBLE criss-crossing grain, not a single-directional grain.

This is an ivory grain:

(http://www.antiquegamblingchips.com/aaa/ivory3.jpg)

Usually it will not be quite as clear as the above example, but more like this:

(http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x124/talesofthesevenseas/Parasol21.jpg)

This is celluloid which has a grain to imitate the look of ivory (and spare the animals, so this is not a bad thing!)

(http://www.antiquegamblingchips.com/aaa/friv.jpg)

This is bone:

(http://www.antiquegamblingchips.com/aaa/bone7.jpg)

Title: Re: Need help identifying an Ivory Jewelry Box
Post by: spudnutt on February 28, 2012, 12:31:16 PM

Thanks for your help everyone!  Even though its not Ivory it's still a beautiful piece.  Anyone have an idea of the value?

Title: Re: Need help identifying an Ivory Jewelry Box
Post by: talesofthesevenseas on February 28, 2012, 12:48:17 PM

I wish we could see what those ones on Etsy sold for. You might contact the seller and ask, explaining that you have one and would like to know the price for comparison. Here is one that is smaller and not nearly as nice as yours selling for $45, and although this one has not sold yet,  I think you could safely price it a bit above this one. (maybe the others can comment on that)

http://www.rubylane.com/item/164764-342/Ivory-Pyralin-Du-Barry-Vintage (http://www.rubylane.com/item/164764-342/Ivory-Pyralin-Du-Barry-Vintage)