Featured Large plastic carved? buckle

hi all

something else i won at a local auction for not very much
from the auction pic i thought it had to be carved because of the sharpness of it
but not sure now
its a biggin, and weighty enough to be carved, but isnt it a bit to well carved to be made out of a plastic ?

theres a foreign mark on the back

any thoughts or info appreciated

 

Very nice, Charlie!

 

Carved celluloid probably. And German between the wars. Lily of the valley amongst other things.

 

very helpful thanks Obb, jeez im impressed if that is carving, looking closely with a loop there are carving scuffs inbetween the details

 

thanks bakers !

 

Eau de nil. A very popular color in the interwar period. Buckle very cunningly done. Love how the lily of the valley flower is nestled in the plant's leaves. This would be the correct orientation, I'd think. Likely celluloid.

Debora

 

very helpful, thanks deb

 

That's hand carved?
WOWSA !!!!!!!!

nice Charles !!!!!!!

 

This is not dissimilar.

https://www.etsy.com/listing/124903...how_sold_out_detail=1&ref=nla_listing_details

 

It is a beauty. Given it is German, it could also be catalin.

 

Duh! What I posted above can't be the correct orientation because it wouldn't work as a sash buckle in that position. Forgive me my (momentary, I hope) stoopidity. This works better.

Debora

 

Catalin. An American product. Introduced in 1927 which is within our time frame.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Catalin

Debora

 

Well, would you look at this.

https://www.etsy.com/listing/121192...=ss&ref=pla_similar_listing_top-1&frs=1&sts=1

Debora

 

Wow, I don't recall ever seeing celluloid in that color. I like it!

 

Yeah I find that hard to believe as well, wonder if they were molded, then carved to accentuate

 

if it's too good to be true........

nice catch @Debora

 

When I mentioned the link between Germany and catalin, I didn't mean catalin was German, but that it was used a lot in German jewellery and accessories. More so than bakelite, which was more popular across the pond.
The Germans did use celluloid for accessories, but I don't think this buckle is celluloid.
Galalith, a German invention (based on an earlier French one) was also prefered over bakelite by Germany jewellery makers, but it couldn't be moulded in such delicate shapes as catalin could.

So in my thinking, since it is a German buckle and it has delicate ornamentation, it could be made of catalin.
Just a possibility, not a definite.

 

I like that Charlie.

 

It also reminds me of Celluloid bracelets made in Japan. Have not happened upon a buckle before, but haven't been looking.

 

Amazing carving or molding whatever it is-beautiful Charles.