Featured Coffin shaped sterling box on chain

I'm not sure how to refer to this piece...is it a memento mori, prayer box, relic holder, reliquary, novelty??? I can see using it to store a locket of hair or a memento like that. Thoughts anyone? Any ideas where and when this was made? There are no marks at all; it does test as sterling though. The box is 1 1/4" by just under 1". About 3/8" deep. The chain is about 29" end to end. Weight is 16.3 grams. Thanks for looking!!!

 

Neat piece. I could see this being worn on Day of the Dead in Mexico.

 

Looks like a cute little reliquary. You know, fingernail of St. Findan, eyelash of St. Cecelia, eye of Newt, etc.

 

.. a sheep's eye and a lickerish tooth

Debora

 

Hehe...thanks all

 

No quotes from the Scottish play. Please!
Saint Genesius, help us!

I think it is a nice novelty piece.

 

could you check if it isn't for the Holy Prepuce from Antwerp ?

 

Well, that was informative! Could not find anything to make a connection though

 

Thanks @i need help! That led me to add the term 'locket' which brought up some possibilties. While mine is not strictly a 'locket', I found this one which is most similar (doesn't show how it opens though): http://jeanjeanvintage.blogspot.com/2012/05/coffin-locket.html

 

I thing think this could be a mourning pendant. I have seen similar made for novelty, but this one you have pictured is well made and an older piece.

 

IF it did NOT open, I was thinking it might contain ashes!! My SIL wanted to give family bits of ashes of my late bro in little necklaces, to which we all politely declined.....I loved my bro, but was not about to wear him around my neck or feel guilty for stuffing him in a jewelry box!!!!

 

Hi and WELCOME to Antiquers, Robert!!!

 

Thank you!