Tiffany & Co. Sterling Mystery Item - Match Box Holder?

Hello, this is a circa 1880's sterling piece, just not sure of it's purpose. Opening is approx. 7/8" high x 2 7/8" across x 1 1/2" deep. Very high quality. Any help would be appreciated.

 

Is there a makers mark? Can we see it please. it could help with your question.

 

Yes, sorry about that, meant to do it in original post. It is a Tiffany & Co piece.

 

Note the name "EDWARD" engraved on top, possibly a desk accessory of some sort?

 

I think you're spot on with matches.

 

I don't recall ever seeing a match box those dimensions. I have seen napkins rings in this configuration.

 

We get them that size here.

 

Fascinating. I've never seen a napkin holder with feet but, after a quick internet image search, see that not uncommon design during Victorian period.

Debora

 

Gila will love this!

 

Matches, sides are open for the striker sides of the box.

Here is one from the 1930s. Notice the dimensions are almost the same.

"Measures about 2-5/8 inches by 1-1/2 inches by 3/4 inch, to fit standard small matchbox."
https://www.etsy.com/listing/400601073/vintage-tiffany-sterling-matchbox-cover?ref=market

 

"Edward" is more likely to be found on a napkin holder.

Debora

 

Make that 3 for napkin holder.

 

Thanks everyone for the replies.

 

Deleted

 

Having a hard time seeing this as a matchbox holder, one would have to slide the entire item out in order to slide the interior box out of the sleeve, seems an unlikely design.

A napkin holder seems more likely, though a bit unusual in design - until well into the 20th century, Tiffany seldom did illustrated catalogs and ads, but finding similar items by other manufacturers can help to identify the purpose of a piece. Tiffany does do archive searches for a fee, last I heard, $1000. minimum (not worth it for something like this).

Just as a note, by number, the pattern of this item dates to around 1873-74, though it could certainly have been produced after that dating...

~Cheryl

 

Cheryl, we had matchboxes here where the long side opened, not the short? Still do, and that's what I had in mind. The matches were long ones, used for things like candles, firelighting and so forth. So, you'd simply push from the back.

 

Oh, and of course used for pipes!

 

Hi Bear - this a small item, designed in the early 1870s, if it were for a matchbox, it would hold a typical Swedish or Lucifer matchbox of the era (usually right around 2-1/2" X 1-1/2", though there were other sizes), which like most small matchboxes today, slid open from the small end of the sleeve. It's an odd piece, but I just can't see it as practical, or even really quite the right size, for a matchbox holder - not sure I can recall seeing such an object made in the 1870s-80s...

~Cheryl

 

Hi,
Dang Cheryl, you are older than I thought you were. You remember back that far.
greg

 

Do you have a Tiffany near you? It would be interesting to take it in and see if they can tell you anything based on the numbers on the bottom!