Featured any idea what this??

Hi all heres an item In acquired from a friend neither of us have seen another like it
I believe it's made of silver and amber any help greatly appreciated

 

Welcome to the forum.
I have no idea what the shape is for. Judging from the type of niello decoration on the silver, I'd say it is from Iran or Afghanistan.
Do you have more pictures? I'd like to see more of the decoration.
I don't know if the stone is amber, is it cold to the touch?

 

I'd have to see more, but I'm thinking it's a watch-key.

 

Along with size???

 

It's on looseleaf paper I think so those are 1/4 - 5/16".

 

Aren't you the clever one

 

I have seen some charms and pendants like this over time that are made in the likeness of a watch key. Believe if you search watch key pendant or charm you will find some with and without precious/semi-precious stones.

 

Pakistan, Afghanistan or Central Asia:

http://ethnicjewels.ning.com/photo/image-509?context=user

They don't know what it was for, my guess would be some kind of amulet case. With the niello decoration, yours could be Afghan or Tajik.

 

ok guys and gals it's hollow and I think it was used for snorting cocaine because i believe it dates from the 20's ( i.e. the roaring 20's ) coke was legal back then as was heroin. I'll post some more photos so maybe someone can confirm my suspicions.
and yes it is cold to the touch. sorry for the late reply bit busy with work at the mo, very much appreciate your input.

 

I still think it's a watch-key. I don't think something used for illicit drugs would've been manufactured so that it could be worn on a watch-chain, necklace, chatelaine or anything else so obvious and visible. It'd be like walking down the street with a crack-pipe hanging around your neck.

 

It always helps if you give us all the information you have, before posting. Otherwise it becomes too much of a time-consuming guessing game, and many others want to have their items seen as well.

The niello is clearly of Western or Central Asian origin. It is not as finely detailed as Caucasian niello, but could be a simpler example. Those are not regions historically associated with cocaine.
Ottoman niello amulet case from Anatolia, Turkey:

https://turkishfolkart.com/product/...oman-antique-niello-silver-talisman-necklace/

The stone is not amber, because it is cold to the touch. Some Western Asian carnelian is yellowish, that could be it.
It looks like a needlecase, to be worn on a chatelaine, hence the ring. It is missing top and bottom decorated silver stoppers. Those often get lost during their long lifetime. Needlecases of similar shapes are found in Western and Central Asia.
If you want to snort cocaine with it, be my guest, but imo you'd be snorting it through a needlecase.

 

No silver needle-case that I've seen (and I've seen a few!) was ever THAT small, though. Are you sure that's what it is? I don't see how you'd fit much of anything in there.

 

Items on chatelaines could be tiny. And for sewing and embroidery needles, not knitting needles. I could easily fit needles in there.
It was suggested on ethnic-jewels that the first item I posted above was a needlecase.
Another needlecase:

It could be a scissor case, this one is Norwegian:

 

Shangas you would be surprised to see how many items were made for use of cocaine out of fine silver and gold when it wasn't illegal to use in the USA. That was changed with the Harrison Act. There were items made for chatellaines, etc. but were more likely the cocaine spoons. They even had snuff spoons for women when it was "in".
How does the top attach to the silver horn? Is it a container (like an etui) or open both ends? Am I missing where the actual dimensions of the piece are posted?

 

I'm aware of certain 'drug paraphernalia', for want of a better word - like absinthe spoons and opium pipes etc. Never heard of anything for cocaine...Eh. Who knows.

 

Dang what little I remember of the 70's I agree the 70's were a hell of a time

 

Oh that explains a lot. I can't stand the 70s.

 

Ahhh, the Ohaus dial o gram........such fond memories...