Featured Antique shell rosary box

Hi dear Members,

Here is a shell/mother of pearl rosary box that I bought today. As I understood such kind of boxes became mostly popular in the second half of 19th Century. I wonder if mine was made in the same period, or earlier?
The metal frame is, most probably, brass. However it looks like it was gilded.

What is interesting, is that at the inner side of the frame there are some kind of markings: on one side they look like "V lll", and on the other side "lll". Roman numerals? And do they mean something at all?

All the opinions are highly appreciated

 

I have no clue, but you could be a hand model.

 

Hahah thanks Need to add this skill in my CV)))

 

It could be 20th century too, post-WWII. They were made then too.

 

Pretty little thing,but so so many examples online. Hopefully those markings does mean something (if not I think it might be difficult to know exactly)

 

Nice piece!
Usually those roman numbers are seen on hinged pieces as lockets. It was for pairing the parts made in series.

 

You’re right, I also have found many of them with different variations of closure and also with chains, like little purses.
They are all lovely anyway)

 

That makes sense! Thank You

 

They’re still made today. And yes, the numbers are for matching.

 

nice French tips............. oh, & the box too !!

 

Thank you

 

Ditto.

Ditto.

 

My French Canadian Catholic family all had rosary boxes, but they all had some kind of religious image on them. I've never seen a plain one. My mother and aunts also carried little pill boxes like this so I'd be more inclined to think it was a pill box. I did find a shell one online - slightly different than yours.

 

That one looks like some Indian kohl boxes, except those usually have a mirror in the lid.

 

One of mine, this one is a full shell, not MOP, but you can see the mirror on the inside of the lid (seller's pics):

 

This is adorable!