small leather case with horses... what was it used for?

Nearly 4" square, frame is wood, clasp is metal. Inside is lined with a linen or cotton type material The horses are remarkably detailed. Soft sided so I can't imagine this was used for cigars or cigarettes, but I really don't know what else it could have been used for. Is there a name for this type of case, and/or this type of leather work? Thanks in advance for looking!

 

Welcome, Susan!

The 4" inch square size is measured overall when open, right? Maybe for small photos?

 

I re-measured it, and it isn't square, but 3 1/2" wide and 4" long. And that is when it is closed.

 

Ya, that looks like for photo's or maybe an award..?

 

Or jewellery box? for one nice piece like a brooch

 

Id guess maybe a plaque or coin .

 

It would hold the old school ciggies, the kind without filters. It could also be a card case for calling cards.

 

But.....when you open it...either of those things would fall all over the floor...

 

Art nouveau, nice condition, very pretty. Looks like someone's hand-tooled project box to hold some certain precious item or maybe nothing at all. Looks never used fabric and leather applied to, perhaps, a pre-existing box. Maybe the first time the crafter opened it and the ciggys fell onto the ground... Ooops!

 

even a leather case would have a band to hold the fags in place...

 

but...it could have held a cigarette case.....



although....i doubt it....

 

Could be long gone, this is a nice, old, hand-tooled box

 

Meant the leather strap could be long gone, box could be even older

 

It sure looks that way.....but...I'm wondering if....just maybe......this item was stamped out.......not hand made ..?

Plus...I'm not seeing any indication the band was ever there to begin with..

 

I'm thinking it's a double dag case,,,with the guts gone...

 

That's what I thought as well..............

 

Hi,
Me to.
greg

 

I'm thinking anything with any thickness (including a coin) would have left an impression, wouldn't it have??? But I like the idea of a stripped out Dag case (even if I'm not too sure on that one)! The detail work in those bridles is wonderful!!!!

 

Thank you all for your ideas! I really appreciate it. The idea of a photo case seems like a good idea, but when I check the standard sizes, it doesn't seem to fit. The exact measurements for the interior space of my case is 3 1/4" x 3 1/2". The closest standard size for antique photos are:

* 1/4 plate - 3-1/4 x 4-1/4
* 1/6 plate - 2-3/4 x 3-1/4

Both of these look too off for a good fit. Was it possible to have a custom size for dags or others? I've never seen a custom size one, but that doesn't mean much

On the horse design, have you guys ever seen leather work like this, and does it have a name? I initially thought it was "tooled" but looking at other tooled pieces, this looks nothing like them.

Thanks again!

 

I still think the leather was stamped out in a press....but I can't confirm that.