Featured Celluloid ? Elephant Box

Discussion in 'Antique Discussion' started by janettekay, Jun 7, 2020.

  1. janettekay

    janettekay Well-Known Member

    Was not sure which category...so here it goes.
    Belonged to a relative...I know it to be at least 60 years old. I have had it for over 25 years, and I remember seeing it as a child. elephant box .JPG elephant box bottom.JPG elephant box inside lid.JPG elephant box interior.JPG elephant box top.JPG
    Maybe celluloid..I know nothing.
    Was used , I believe as a powder box on vanity.
    Oval shaped. 4" H with lid 4 1/2" L 3 1/4" W at center 3" D inside Weighs about a pound or so.

    Pictures are showing "whiter" than it is..(bottom shop more accurate coloring) I have not cleaned it at all. Could be nicotine.
    Inside photo shows how light shines through a bit.

    Any info on material, origin or accurate age much appreciated. Also how do I clean this...if I decide to sell..or do I leave it as is.?
     
    janettekay, Jun 7, 2020
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  2. DragonflyWink

    DragonflyWink Well-Known Member

    Janette - that looks like ivory to me, would guess Indian, and if not antique, close to it...

    ~Cheryl
     
    DragonflyWink, Jun 7, 2020
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  3. DragonflyWink

    DragonflyWink Well-Known Member

    DragonflyWink, Jun 7, 2020
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  4. i need help

    i need help Moderator Moderator

    .
     
    i need help, Jun 7, 2020
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  5. janettekay

    janettekay Well-Known Member

    OMG--I never would have known!
     
    janettekay, Jun 7, 2020
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  6. janettekay

    janettekay Well-Known Member

    A little back story to this box. My aunt/god mother (1905)and grandmother(1880) lived together after my grandfather died young . So not sure who actually owned this piece. My aunt never married and neither my grand mother or my aunt had much money or bought anything decorative or "frivolous" over the years. So I really have no idea where it came from.
    When my Aunt died..I got the piece.
    I kept it ..though it never really appealed to me. So now..I thought of selling and find out I probably can't since it is ivory !:sour:
     
    janettekay, Jun 7, 2020
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  7. 2manybooks

    2manybooks Well-Known Member

    Yes, it looks like ivory from what we can see in your photos. It would be helpful to see a clear closeup of the top edge or bottom edge of the main cylinder (which would be a cross section of the original tusk). I am pretty sure it would show the "schreger lines" that are diagnostic of elephant ivory.
     
    2manybooks, Jun 7, 2020
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  8. janettekay

    janettekay Well-Known Member

    Is this what you need? elephant box close up rim.JPG
     
    janettekay, Jun 7, 2020
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  9. Bev aka thelmasstuff

    Bev aka thelmasstuff Colored pencil artist extraordinaire ;)

    Yes. I see Schreger lines indicating ivory
     
    Bev aka thelmasstuff, Jun 7, 2020
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  10. 2manybooks

    2manybooks Well-Known Member

    Yep. A little blurry, but they are there.
     
    2manybooks, Jun 7, 2020
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  11. Ghopper1924

    Ghopper1924 Well-Known Member

    Love that we've gone from celluloid to ivory.

    What a fantastic elephant box! A treasure!! Love it!!!
     
    Ghopper1924, Jun 7, 2020
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  12. antidiem

    antidiem Well-Known Member

    I LOVE THIS THREAD!!! THANK YOU ALL!!! :cat::kiss::smuggrin::smug:
     
    antidiem, Jun 7, 2020
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