Featured Anybody know what this was used for?

This belonged to my great-grandmother, who was born in 1878. There is a B & Co Limoges France mark on the inside of the top & additional marks on the bottom as pictured. I cannot find much online about it & am curious if the 2 holes in the "base" on eithier side of the lid are a clue to its origins/usage. My mother always thought it was some sort of pin cushion doll because the original owner was a dressmaker, but it seems too large for that (shes about 5" wide & 5" tall). Any help appreciated.

 

Quite often something with holes on the side and a covered larger hole in the center are inkwells. Don't know about yours for sure.

 

I did find a similar one with a small ink pot. The way it's painted and initialed I'm thinking it may have been a blank made to be painted by hobby painters. Your's is painted much better. Any chance your gr-grandma's initials are the same ones on your piece showing she painted it?

https://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/superb-vintage-limoges-art-deco-433836004

 

A search for 'Aladin porcelain France' was very fruitful. E.g.:

https://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/aladin-made-france-porcelain-art-deco-275796998

 

Pieces like one posted are described both as dresser boxes & powder boxes; inkwells by them are also turning up. Think g'g'ma didn't do the painting, but purpose still a bit uncertain.

 

Amazing! I have been looking for days. bThe initials are not my great grandmothers. Not sure whose they might be. My understanding was that it was a gift to her, so perhaps the giver initialed it. I will have to do more family research to find out i guess.. Just knowing what it is is very helpful!

 

Going by what descriptions of others we found say, initials are those of person who painted it & it is not home hobbyist work. BTW, welcome to Antiquers.

 

Think the one SIS found nails it as an inkwell, missing the insert. The holes would be for dip pens.

 

You guys are great! I appreciate your time so very much.

 

The B&C mark is Bernardaud & Co. It dates your piece to 1914-1930's which would fit the style of your jar. Aladin is most likely an atelier that decorated the plain white porcelain ink well they bought from Bernardaud. It really is a very lovely item.
Don