Small Oval Box

Not sure what this is made of yet. What would have been used for? 3 3/4" x 1 5/8". About 3/4" deep.

 

Vulcanite pill box ?

 

Does it feel more like hard plastic bakelite? It may not be vulcanite because the color of brown is similar all over, perhaps not just from sunned effect on the black of vulcanite material. Please wait for others.

 

Could be a horn snuff box.

 

I will give it the hot water test. Not familiar with vulcanite, will look that up.

Thanks Holly.

 

It looks like a snuffbox missing a roundel in the lid. Maybe silver, with a monogram?

Please don't do anything that could damage it. What is the hot water test anyway?

 

Any, the hot water test is going to bring out the smell if it is bakelite or some other plastic. This does have a smell, although I don't know what formaldehyde smells like. I think this may be bakelite. The hot water test is alot safer then the hot pin test.

 

As Hollyblue said... Horn snuff box, 19th century!

You can see the organic fibrous texture where there is some "peeling/crack"

 

Do not put this horn snuffbox in water you will ruin it.

 

I thought you meant hot water on natural or semi-natural materials, in this case horn or vulcanite.
Hot pin test is a nono. Hot water test is a nono on many materials, especially horn.

 

Just looked on Ebay...It is! https://www.ebay.com/itm/Antique-En...=true&nordt=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557

 

Oops, cross-posted with blooey.

Instead of ruining the snuff box, you could give it a gentle wipe with oil, and a lot of tlc.

 

Sorry.... But what is the interest of testing IF you don't know WHAT bakelite smell?

 

Hot water does not ruin bakelite. That is the preferred test.

 

But you said you don't know what formaldehyde smells like.
Anyway, only try it if you are sure it actually is one of the early plastics. And always put it in a plastic bag first. No use if you don't know the smell you should be testing for.

 

I didn't have to run any water on it. Since the lid has been closed the inside has some kind of smell to it. I just thought it was bakelite.

 

I'd have never guessed it was HORN! Thanks All!