Featured Mystery box

I have this lovely presentation box which was my Great Grandmothers. Circa 1880-1910.

It appears that the small side is truly the "bottom" of the box as it is plain, undecorated and unpadded; whereas, the larger side is decorated and padded and worn .

Inside there is a velvet covered wood piece which I feel was for earrings. On each side there is a half round open slit and the centers distinctly dip down into the small side of the box. The box measures:8" long x 3 3/4" wide x 2 3/4" deep.

For the LIFE of me, I cannot figure out what went in the two half round slits - not either direction. My sister and I were the recipients of much of her estate... and although there were lovely pieces of jewelry of the era - there was nothing that seemed to match up as to have fit in the case. My Great-Grandfather was said to have been an assayer... but it seems too small for any tools which may have assisted him in that endeavor.

My guess is that, what ever was in it originally has been "gone" for sometime and the case was then used with the padded larger side down and the flat side as a top...I suppose it is relatively unimportant as to what it was used for... but I'm full of curiosity!

Does anyone have any ideas??

Cheerio, Leslie

 

I don't see that much room needed for jewelry...

off the cuff.....the bar held two mini spoons and the half moon cutouts ....that seem indented...something with a round edge..... a pair of silver cups....??

 

I’d say not jewellery but silver salts.

 

Found this on ETSY. Not no where near exact but just throwing it out there. Salt and Pepper container.
https://www.etsy.com/listing/894414945/sampson-mordan-chick-salt-and-pepper

 

That makes sense... thanks!

Leslie

 

This upside down ones are often salts and such.

 

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/22559262...MI94SwkNGSgAMVStXtCh0BYg5gEAQYCSABEgI7afD_BwE

 

Gosh, so cute!!! Well, I sure wish I had whatever salt's went in it!

 

Cute too!!!