Small Oval Box

Discussion in 'Antique Discussion' started by kraftblue, Aug 4, 2020.

  1. kraftblue

    kraftblue Well-Known Member

    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.

    box1.JPG box2.JPG box3.JPG box4.JPG box5.JPG
     
    judy likes this.
  2. antidiem

    antidiem Well-Known Member

    Vulcanite pill box ?
     
  3. antidiem

    antidiem Well-Known Member

    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.
     
    judy likes this.
  4. Hollyblue

    Hollyblue Well-Known Member

    Could be a horn snuff box.
     
  5. kraftblue

    kraftblue Well-Known Member

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

    Thanks Holly.
     
  6. Any Jewelry

    Any Jewelry Well-Known Member

    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?
     
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  7. kraftblue

    kraftblue Well-Known Member

    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.
     
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  8. kyratango

    kyratango Bug jewellery addiction!

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

    You can see the organic fibrous texture where there is some "peeling/crack":cyclops:
     
  9. blooey

    blooey Well-Known Member

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

    Any Jewelry Well-Known Member

    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.
     
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  11. kraftblue

    kraftblue Well-Known Member

  12. Any Jewelry

    Any Jewelry Well-Known Member

    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.
     
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  13. kyratango

    kyratango Bug jewellery addiction!

    :hilarious:Sorry.... But what is the interest of testing IF you don't know WHAT bakelite smell?:bucktooth:
     
  14. kraftblue

    kraftblue Well-Known Member

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

    Any Jewelry Well-Known Member

    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.:)
     
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  16. kraftblue

    kraftblue Well-Known Member

    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.
     
    judy likes this.
  17. antidiem

    antidiem Well-Known Member

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