Featured Is this dog's head pendant MOP?

Originally I thought it was celluloid but it has not really yellowed like old celluloid and it has a bit of shine and translucence. Ruby Lane had one said it was Victorian MOP however the actually listing is gone. Thank you for any help.

 

Glass?

 

Thank you for looking @Ownedbybear. Definitely not glass.

 

Onyx?

 

@moreotherstuff Maybe, I'll test it tomorrow.
Also I neglected to put in the size : 1" wide and 3/4" long. I am sure it's carved, as the two sides are not exactly the same.

In searching for similar, I find a lot of horse heads that appear to have the same qualities as the dog and they are all MOP. When it is looked at from difference angles, it really looks like shell of some sort.

 

Here is the Ruby Lane item:

 

Might be selenite. That sometimes can have a shell-like look, but I believe it's very soft.

 

Thanks @sabre123 It looks just like the one I have. Only the bottom band/collar is slightly different as the one I have has a padlock dangle.

@moreotherstuff Thank you. This little guy is not at all soft.

 

I'll vote MOP. I like it!

 

@wlwhittier Thanks, I think it's sweet. Glad you like it.

 

Looks like MOP to me. Wonder if the heart padlock is original to it. There was a fad at one time for bracelets using one of them as the clasp.

 

This may sound strange, but I think the eyes are tiny rubies. Especially since there is a "good side" to the head where one fits better than the other smaller side one.
I think the heart is original to it. I believe MOS is correct about selenite too. Soft enough to carve, hard enough to wear. It's absolutely adorable!

 

Very nice find, Lizzie. And another vote for MOP, and it looks gold plated.
I think the dog tag/padlock is original.

They could be. Tiny rubies were also used in plated items.

 

Thanks to all for weighing in. I will test the eyes and report back.

 

One eye tests as glass and the other in the garnet range. Thanks for the help everyone. I really think this is MOP so I am grateful that others see it too. Since I find other carved MOP pendants (a lot of horse heads and that one dog head), all being dated to the 1800's, is it possible this one is Victorian also? The chain that came with it (I bought it with the chain about 12 years ago) has the old style of jump ring, if that helps to date it.

 

I agree, carved MOP.
Nice piece!

 

Beautiful necklace. I agree with the MOP verdict, and I think the necklace is most likely late-1800s or early 1900s with what looks to me like a rose gold filled (or rolled gold) chain and fittings on the dog.

I have antique rose gold filled watch chains, necklaces, and hinged bangle bracelets from that time period. Many of the chains have the old style spring ring clasp like yours. This may sound like a "no-no", but I polish antique gold filled jewelry with 0000 steel wool (gently). and it really brightens up and the tarnished spots disappear.

 

A sunhine cloth will also do wonders, and it is less of a no-no.

 

Thank you @stracci and @Joan

I will give the chain a polish as well as the trim on the dog to see if I can bring up the brightness. Also thanks for confirming the date and material.

@Any Jewelry Thanks, I use the sunshine cloths all the time.

A big thank you to everyone for reading and the advice/opinions, you are all very much appreciated.

 

Here's an example of using 0000 steel wool on an antique rose gold filled hinged bangle bracelet that was especially tarnished and pitted around the hinge. This first photo shows it before any polishing.
The next photo is after using a Sunshine Cloth.
The third photo is after using 0000 steel wool. And the last photo is a full view. I don't use 0000 steel wool on any other jewelry, but it can really improve the appearance of some of the antique gold filled or rolled gold jewelry when the finish is badly tarnished or pitted...and for whatever reason it doesn't leave obvious scratches.