Featured Small ivory box - what purpose?

I posted this long ago on that other site. I know it's very thin ivory and the fittings appear to be brass. What do you think this was for? I wondered if it was for a pair of men's cufflinks in a travel kit, but then it would have a lining of some kind and it doesn't appear to ever have had one. It seals pretty tight when closed. 2 1/4" diameter. Any thoughts?

 

Looks remarkably like a modern make-up compact...

 

Yeah, but it doesn't look modern in person. My son thinks it was a pill box. He's probably right. This is not the son who cut up the scarf, by the way. This is the good son. LOL

 

OHHH, I meant "modern" in shape, not age... it DOES look old... I was wondering if the compact form was used in the old days.

 

Does the box sit flat on both sides. If so I think the top picture is upside down.

At that small size - collar studs,
https://www.google.com/search?q=col...MKHTo2BYsQ_AUICCgC&biw=1453&bih=1057&dpr=0.85

 

I wonder if it was to hold beauty spots ? Or whatever they called those things ladies used to use to cover pock marks .

 

John, do you mean a patch box?

 

Deleted post

I didn't see this post, so I reposted wih a link.
Sorry.

 

Yes ,patch box ! Ugh , I hate getting old ! LOL !

 

I thought of a patch box too, but at 2 1/2 inches, I think it is too big. That would be a lot of patches.
http://www.quaintrellelife.com/patches.html

 

Even though you said ivory, looking at it I was seeing French Ivory, but then looking again - hey, it's real ivory!

So... maybe it's Chinese or Japanese? I'm not familiar enough with Asian toiletry or boudoir items... could be for a man's ___?

 

Snuff.

 

Snuff


French, horn round detailed pressed snuff box with original hinge, unusual from and detail circa 1800 3.0″ diameter

 

Not snuff, as the shape would make it too spillable.

Mumble, mumble...

 

I'm with Silverthwait here, suppose it could have been for snuff, but the lid really seems a bit deep - in consideration of the powdery contents, snuff boxes tend to have shallow lids or one set into the top as on the horn box Scoutshouse referenced. Might consider a bonbon/pastilles box, a small bonbonnierre - though when I think of an ivory bonbon box, it's more along the lines of this one: http://art.thewalters.org/detail/28494/bonbonnirre-with-pastoral-scene-2/

A commercial metal bonbon box, similar shape, but with a flat lid on top: http://m.ebay.com/itm/Antique-1900s...-Box-Made-in-Germany-/331768131552?nav=SEARCH

A similarly shaped silverplate bonbon box from an 1889 retailer's catalog:


~Cheryl

 

I never touch the stuff, but wouldn't the bulb-like walls and smaller opening hold snuff in?

Details about Antique solid silver "squeeze" snuff box with "invisible" hinge 1910. 67 grams

 

Actually, you're right - I went looking for the same shape, but Bev's is more open, so would let snuff fly...

Anyway, I think the ivory is a clue, and that is possible Asian. Or, could it have held another object, like a woman's watch?

 

I've seen small boxes that have lids on top, but mine opens right in the middle. It's the same size on both halves. I bought it on a rainy Sunday in Paris at an open air (tented) flea market across the street from the Moulin Rouge. Hubby was more interested in getting out of the rain so he dragged me away. It was a fabulous flea market. Wish I could have stayed longer.

 

Closest I could come ...


CARNET DE BAL SET,probably French, circa 1900. Ivory

but someone will have to pinterest to find out more with a closer pic !!

 

Snuff looks like it would spill out of that far too easily. I don't think it's Asian, though.

My guess is it's a patch box. I can't imagine what else it might be.